Comorbid obesity diseases and polypathies in young and middle-aged individuals

Aim. To assess the characteristics of comorbid obesity diseases and polypathies in young and middle-aged individuals taking into account the obesity phenotype. Material and methods . This cohort cross-sectional study was used to examine 201 patients with a body mass index (BMI) ≥25 kg/m 2 and/or abdominal obesity (AO) (median age 39 [33-47] years). Anthropometry was performed. Visceral fat (VF) level was measured using the bioelectrical impedance analysis. We analyzed participants for the following diseases/conditions comorbid with obesity: hypertension (HTN), dyslipidemia, prediabetes, osteoarthritis, gastroesophageal reflux disease, non-alcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD), pancreatic steatosis, obstructive sleep apnea (OSA). Results. Dyslipidemia (77,6%), HTN (32,3%), prediabetes (25,4%), less often — osteoarthritis (21,9%), pancreatic steatosis (19,9%), NAFLD (16,9%), OSA (10,4%), gastroesophageal reflux disease (9,0%) were established in more than a quarter of cases. Obesity multi­mor­bi­dity prevailed (83,1%), represented by combinations of HTN with prediabetes, NAFLD, pancreatic steatosis; HTN with prediabetes, OSA. Based on the decision tree, multimorbidity was most common among individuals aged ≥32 years with a VF ≥7 units. Therefore, an algorithm was developed to prioritise screening for polypathy of obesity related comorbidity. Conclusion. With a phenotype of BMI ≥25 kg/m 2 , AO and an increased VF level, there is a high probability of HTN, NAFLD, and pancreatic steatosis. Obesity multimorbidity was diagnosed in every eighth patient. The highest probability of ≥3 comorbid obesity diseases was observed in individuals with a BMI ≥25 kg/m2 and/or AO at the age of ≥32 years and VF ≥7 units.