IMPACT OF OBESITY AND METABOLIC SYNDROME ON CLINICAL PROFILE AND SHORT‑TERM OUTCOMES IN HOSPITALIZED MEDICAL PATIENTS.
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Keywords
Metabolic syndrome; obesity; hospitalized patients; clinical outcomes; length of stay; India
Abstract
Background: Obesity and metabolic syndrome (MetS) are increasingly prevalent in hospitalized medical patients and contribute to adverse clinical outcomes. Despite global evidence, data from Indian tertiary care settings assessing clinical profiles and short-term outcomes remain limited.
Material and Methods: A cross-sectional observational study was conducted in the Department of General Medicine at a tertiary care teaching hospital over 12 months. One hundred consecutive adult patients (aged ≥ 18 years) admitted to medical wards were enrolled by non-probability consecutive sampling. MetS was diagnosed using International Diabetes Federation (IDF) 2006 criteria. Anthropometric, clinical, biochemical data, and short-term outcomes — length of hospital stay (LOS), complications (acute kidney injury, infections, arrhythmias), ICU transfer, and mortality — were recorded. Analysis used Student's t-test and Chi-square/Fisher's exact test (p < 0.05 significant).
Results: MetS prevalence was 46% (n = 46). MetS patients were older (56.2 ± 11.4 vs. 49.1 ± 12.9 years, p = 0.004), had higher BMI (30.2 ± 4.1 vs. 23.9 ± 3.6 kg/m², p < 0.001), and waist circumference (97.3 ± 8.2 vs. 83.2 ± 8.8 cm, p < 0.001). Hypertension (82.6% vs. 33.3%), T2DM (73.9% vs. 18.5%), dyslipidemia (78.3% vs. 25.9%), and ischemic heart disease (34.8% vs. 11.1%) were significantly higher (all p < 0.01). LOS was longer in MetS (7.6 ± 2.1 vs. 5.1 ± 1.8 days, p < 0.001). ICU transfers (30.4% vs. 11.1%, p = 0.018), infections (21.7% vs. 7.4%, p = 0.042), AKI (26.1% vs. 7.4%, p = 0.013), and arrhythmias (17.4% vs. 3.7%, p = 0.028) were elevated. Complete recovery was lower (65.2% vs. 88.9%, p = 0.007); mortality trended higher (8.7% vs. 3.7%, p = 0.283).
Conclusion: MetS affects nearly half of hospitalized medical patients and associates with greater comorbidities, prolonged LOS, increased complications, and poorer recovery. Routine screening and multidisciplinary care are recommended.residencyadvisor+1
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Dr Sharad Mishra
Post Graduate Medical Officer (PGMO) Medicine, District Hospital Dhar MP.
Dr Pushpendra Mishra
PG Resident, Dept of General Medicine People’s Medical College Bhopal MP.
Dr Ankur Chhari
Assistant Professor, Dept of General Medicine People’s Medical College Bhopal MP.
Dr. Shweta Pandey
PG Resident, Department of Prosthodontics Crown And Bridge and Implantology Government College Of Dentistry Indore MP.
