Undiagnosed cardiovascular risk factors in overweight and obese individuals: a low income country experience

Background Overweight and obesity are associated with diabetes, hypertension and chronic kidney disease (CKD). However, there is scarce information from lower income countries about undiagnosed obesity-associated conditions. This information is necessary for healthcare planning and for assessment of Global Burden of Disease. Methods We assessed the prevalence of obesity-associated conditions in 656 overweight ( n  = 360) and obese ( n  = 296) adults from inner-city Portoviejo (Ecuador), in descriptive field research, based on an opportunistic and selective sampling strategy. Results Of 316 men and 340 women, 73% met criteria for prehypertension (27%) or hypertension (46%), 50% met criteria for prediabetes (30%) or diabetes (20%), 11% had an estimated glomerular filtration rate (eGFR) <60 ml/min/1.73 m 2 consistent with chronic kidney disease (CKD) and 5.5% had pathological albuminuria for a total CKD prevalence of 16%. Age-related prevalence data were generated. In all participants, serum total cholesterol and triglycerides were >200 and >150 mg/dl, respectively. Hyperuricemia and microhematuria (<2%) were uncommon. Women were more likely to have low eGFR (18 vs 5%, p 0.000). Diabetes and pathological albuminuria prevalence were higher in obese than in overweight participants (15 vs 12%, p 0.018; and 8 vs 4%, p 0.0199, respectively). Discussion In conclusion, undiagnosed hypertension, diabetes and CKD were more common than expected in overweight and obese persons from Ecuador. Detection rates exceeded official estimates of prevalene of these conditions. Screening the overweight/obese for these conditions, especially at the age ranges at higher risk, may be cost-effective to identify a high number of persons who may benefit from early inexpensive intervention.