Abstract

FERNANDEZ LOPEZ, Luisa  and  GRUPO EHRICA et al. Efficacy of a weight control intervention programme in obese hypertensive patients. Rev Soc Esp Enferm Nefrol [online]. 2006, vol.9, n.4, pp.06-11. ISSN 1139-1375.

Obesity is an important added risk factor in the population of hypertensive patients, because of its prevalence and its aggregation to other risk factors. Our aim was to quantify the differences in weight loss of two types of nursing-led educational intervention: intensive compared to written information. For this purpose a prospective clinical study was designed comparing two branches of non-pharmacological intervention, in which two different types of intervention were conducted, which were assigned at random by the researcher: 1) 6-month intensive intervention programme with 6 individual educational visits, based on the "FITNESS" programme (intervention group) and 2) Distribution of verbal information and written material, on a single occasion, to recommend losing weight, but without any follow-up visits until 6 months later (control group). Essential hypertensive, obese non-diabetic patients without cardiovascular complications were recruited and were attended consecutively, in line with the following selection criteria: age 18-70, BMI: 28-40 kg/m². A total of 145 patients completed the study (aged 53.7±12 years, 58.8% women), recruited in 16 centres. The intensive intervention programme led to significant average weight loss compared to group 2 (3.7± 3.4 v. 0.66± 2.9 kg, p=0.001). The factors that had a significant influence on the weight loss, according to a multiple linear regression model, were sex (greater in men) and the centre. Blood pressure levels at the start (146±17/88±13 mmHg) were similar in both groups, with the biggest reduction in blood pressure occurring in the intensive intervention group, without achieving a significant level (9.0±19.5 v 4.5±12.9 mmHg), although in men the difference was significant (15.1±19.3 v. 6.48±11.4 mmHg). In the multivariant model, the fall in blood pressure depended on the weight loss obtained, the sex and the centre. In conclusion, the intensive intervention programme is more effective than mere written information for losing weight. However, the different results obtained according to the centre or sex of the patients raise the issue of the need to improve the programmes.In conclusion, the intensive intervention programme is more effective than mere written information for losing weight. However, the different results obtained according to the centre or sex of the patients raise the issue of the need to improve the programmes.

Keywords : hypertension; obesity; intervention; fitness programme.

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