Relationship between body weight, quality of life and cardiovascular risk factors: a general population based Italian experience.

Background: Within the framework of the Progetto Faenza, the aim of this study was to evaluate the effect of cardiovascular risk factors (CVRF) on the health-related Quality of Life (H-rQoL) of a cohort of patients in the province of Ravenna, on the basis of body mass index (BMI). Methods: The following data were collected for each subject: age, sex, weight, height, glycemia, cholesterol (total, HDL and LDL), creatinine, uricemia, systolic arterial pressure (SAP) and diastolic arterial pressure (DAP), presence/absence of previous CV disorders, arterial hypertension, diabetes, antihypertensive therapy, smoking habits and physical exercise. To evaluate the H-rQoL the SF-36 general health survey questionnaire was used, filled in by the patient at the first examination. To test the significance of the differences between the groups (divided by classes of Body Mass Index) as regards the metabolic indicators, a univariate analysis of variance was performed; on the other hand, to assess which factors affect H-rQoL a multivariate analysis was carried out, considering p≤0.05 as significant. The results are expressed as ± 1SD. Results: Of the 1108 subjects enrolled in the study, 343 subjects (31.2%), including 154 males with a mean age of 44.9 ± 14.9 years, filled in the SF-36 questionnaire. A BMI within the normal range corresponds to a more satisfactory metabolic (p<0.05) and QoL (p=0.001) picture. Age (p<0.001), presence of previous CV disorders (p=0.005), the use of antihypertensive drugs (p=0.041) and physical exercise (p=0.002) correlated significantly with H-rQoL values. Conclusions: Health condition and perception are significantly affected by a clinical situation characterized by excess weight.