Consumption of antihypertensive drugs in obese subjects: A transversal study in a sample of 3.291 workers in France

A cross-sectional study in a sample of 3,291 healthy workers was performed in May 1997 to assess the prevalence of obesity (BMI greater than or equal to 30 kg/m(2)) in a working population, and to compare prescription of anti hypertensive drugs in obese and non obese subjects. Obesity was found in 7.4% (245) subjects and morbid obesity concerned 0.4% of the total sample (mean age 37.6+/-9.7 [SD] years, 52.4% of males). Risk of obesity was significantly associated with age, male sex, professional cl asses (higher in blue collars workers, lower in senior executive), business travels, atypical schedules, professional and private difficulties. Albeit the prevalence of drug users (49.7%) was similar whatever the BMI, obese s ubjects used a higher number of drugs than non obese (2.0+/-1.2 versus 1.6/-0.9, p < 0.001). Risk of consumption of cardiovascular drugs was higher i n obese than in non obese subjects (OR 2.9, 95% Cl [2.2-4.1]). After adjust ment on confounding factors, obesity increased specific drug use such as an giotensin converting enzyme inhibitors (OR 3.3, 93% Cl [1.7-6.4]), beta-blo cking agents (OR 2.83, 95% Cl [1.01-8.01]), calcium channel blockers (OR 2. 44, 95% Cl [1.06-5.63]) or diuretics only in women (OR 5.7, 95% Cl [2.1-16. 3]). Prescribed antihypertensive drugs were different in obese (beta-blockers = angiotensin converting enzyme inhibitors > diuretics > calcium channels blo ckers) and non obese (angiotensin converting enzyme inhibitors > calcium ch annel blockers > diuretics > beta-blockers) subjects.