Recognition, diagnosis and management of obesity after myocardial infarction

We investigated the documentation of obesity as a medical problem, and subsequent management recommendations, in patients after myocardial infarction (MI).

We performed a cross-sectional analysis of a randomly selected sample of 627 patients discharged after an MI, from five US teaching hospitals between 1/1/01 and 12/31/02. Information was extracted from clinical notes using standardized definitions.

Mean body mass index (BMI) was 31+/-13 kg/m2, which was documented in only 14% of patients and had to be calculated post hoc in the rest. Waist circumference and waist/hip ratio were not documented at all; 83% of patients were overweight, 55% obese, and 8% morbidly obese. In only 20% of patients with BMI> or =30 kg/m2 was the diagnosis of obesity documented either as a current medical problem, as part of past medical history or as a final diagnosis. A dietary counseling was carried out in 61% of patients with BMI> or =25 kg/m2 and in 61% of patients with BMI<25 kg/m2, P=0.96. Weight loss was described as part of the goals/plan at discharge in 7% of overweight and 9% of obese patients. There was no change in either the level of recognition of obesity (22 vs 19%, P=0.3) or in the proportion of obese patients for whom weight loss was described as part of the goals/plan at discharge (8 vs 10%, P=0.7) before (n=301) compared to after (n=326) the Call to Action in Obesity by the Surgeon General in December 2001.

Obesity is underecognized, underdiagnosed and undertreated in persons with acute MI.