Overweight and Obesity in the Russian Population: Prevalence in Adults and Association with Socioeconomic Parameters and Cardiovascular Risk Factors.

OBJECTIVE: To evaluate the prevalence and geographic distribution of overweight and obesity in Russian adults aged 25-64 years as well as the association between chronic risk factors and obesity. METHODS: Data were obtained from the survey "Epidemiology of Cardiovascular Diseases and Its Risk Factors in Some Regions of the Russian Federation" (ESSE-RF). This is a large cross-sectional multicenter population-based study that included interviews and medical examination (anthropometry, blood pressure [BP] measurement, and laboratory analysis) applied in 2012-2014. RESULTS: The sample included 20,190 adults (response rate 79.4%) aged 25-64 years. Approximately one third of participants (30.3%) had obesity and another third (34.3%) were classified as overweight. BMI increased with age in both sexes. The prevalence of obesity between regions ranged from 24.4 to 35.5%. Overweight and obesity levels decreased with higher education (men only). Overall obesity rates were higher in rural than urban populations, but rates of overweight were similar in rural and urban populations. Participants with obesity were more likely to have BP > 160/100 mm Hg (odds ratio > 2.0) and also > 140/90 mm Hg, raised blood glucose, and high triglycerides. CONCLUSION: The prevalence of overweight and obesity in Russian adults aged 25-64 years is not evenly distributed geographically, but it is comparable to that of other European countries. Individuals with obesity were also more likely to have indicators of poor cardiovascular and metabolic health.

Prospective study of the changes in left ventricular mass and geometry patterns in hypertensive patients During 5 years of follow-up.

BACKGROUND: Left ventricular hypertrophy (LVH), as well as the geometry pattern of the left ventricle, is believed to be an independent risk factor for hypertension. The present study investigated the changes in left ventricular mass, diastolic function and geometry in hypertensive patients in a prospective 5-year follow-up in conjunction with an evaluation of the regularity and effectiveness of treatment. METHODS AND RESULTS: One hundred hypertensive patients older than 18 years were examined according to the study protocol, which included registration of weight, height, vital signs, and echocardiography. After 5 years a repeat examination was performed. Patients were divided into 3 groups according to blood pressure (BP) control: group 1 (n=32), no regular medication; group 2 (n=44), regular treatment but no target BP levels; group 3 (n=14), regular effective treatment. In group 1 an increase in LVH and worsening of diastolic function were observed; in group 2 LVH and isovolumetric relaxation time remained unchanged, while the early peak velocity/atrial peak velocity ratio decreased; in group 3 there was a significant decrease in LVH. The geometry pattern only changed in 21 (23%) patients. CONCLUSIONS: LVH can be successfully reversed in only hypertensive with adequate BP control. The remodeling pattern appears to be a stable characteristic of the patient and transformation of one pattern into another is infrequent.