Relationship between hyperleptinemia and cardiometabolic risk in persons with obesity

Abstract

Background. Obesity remains a global social and medical problem today. The results of recent research demonstrate the pre­sence of overweight in 30–70 % and obesity in 10–30 % of adults, while the prevalence of obesity is increasing at an alarming rate in both economically developed and developing countries of the world. In Ukraine, according to the World Health Organization, 41.2 % of men and 58.5 % of women are overweight or obese. Obesity is a risk factor for the development of a number of diseases — type 2 diabetes, hypertension, coronary heart disease, non-alcoholic fatty liver disease, gastroesophageal reflux disease, obstructive sleep apnea syndrome, etc. The presence of hyperleptinemia and weight loss resistance are common characteristics of obesity. The purpose of the study was to reveal the relationship between leptin levels and cardiometabolic risk in obese patients. Materials and methods. Fifty-three patients (43 women, 10 men) were examined. Body mass index was calculated as the ratio of body weight (kg) to height (m2). The classification criteria of the World Health Organization were used to diagnose overweight, obesity, and its degree. The level of leptin was assessed by an enzyme immunoassay on the ImmunnoChem-2000 device. The relationship between indicators was evaluated using the Spearman’s rank correlation coefficient. Results. Hyperleptinemia in obese patients is an indicator of low-grade inflammation. A significant increase in the serum leptin is noted in obese patients. Correlation analysis of waist circumference with leptin level in women and men demonstrated its importance both before and after treatment. A significant cardiometabolic risk was detected in the examined patients from the Ukrainian population. Against the background of a comprehensive treatment for six months, a decrease in body weight, waist circumference (p < 0.05) and in leptin level (p < 0.05) was noted in both women and men. Conclusions. The relationship was found between leptin level and cardiometabolic risk in obese patients.