Abstract
Background
There are few studies on severe obesity in the Brazilian Unified Health System (SUS).
Objective
To describe patients, treatment approaches and factors associated with weight loss at the Obesity Reference Centers (CRO), in the city of Rio de Janeiro.
Method
Retrospective cohort study based on medical records of 317 patients with severe obesity admitted to three CRO-RJ, between 2011 and 2016. Frequencies were described and relative risks with 95% CI of ≥ 5% loss of body weight at 6 and 12 months of treatment were estimated.
Results
Patients were mainly black (69.5%), women (76.3%), mean age 44.6 years (SD 11.9), reporting ≥ 2 comorbidities (52%), previous treatment (62.1%) and family history of obesity (42.6%). The initial mean BMI was 51.5 kg/m2; average treatment time was 10 months. 14.8% lost ≥ 5% of the initial weight after 12 months of treatment and the relative risk of weight loss was 78% higher among white patients. Approaches based on diet and changes in lifestyle predominated. 14% used anti-obesity drugs and 3% underwent bariatric surgery (1% in the SUS).
Conclusion
Treatment results suggest the need to adjust management to follow treatment guidelines for superobesity, including bariatric surgery.
Keywords:
morbid obesity; quality of health care; bariatric surgery