Effects of therapeutic lifestyle changes on peripheral artery tonometry in patients with abdominal obesity

Introduction: Therapeutic lifestyle changes (TLSC) reduce CV risk, but the impact on EF is unknown. In this study, we aimed to prospectively assess the effects of TLSC on EF in increased CV risk patients with abdominal obesity (AO). Methods: A hundred and fifty patients with AO at increased CV risk were randomized to groups receiving a one-year intervention of either conventional medical care (control group, CG) or an intensive TLSC program (intervention group, IG). Vascular studies and lifestyle (LS) assessment were performed before and after intervention. Results: The reactive hiperemia index (RHI) improved in the IG and worsened in the CG. The global CV risk was reduced (P=.017) in the IG due to a significant decrease in systolic blood pressure (P < .001), increase in HDL cholesterol and apolipoprotein A1 (P=.013). More individuals in the IG than in the CG quit smoking (P=.001) and increased their physical activity (P=.014). The improvement in at least two LS components was associated with a RHI increase (2.44; IC 95%, 0.99-6.00; P=.051). The PAT ratio increase determined less IMT progression (-1.1; IC 95%; 0.91-1.00; P=.053). Conclusions: Good adherence to a TLSC program reduces global CV risk and determines RHI improvement. The increase in RHI is the main determinant of lower IMT progression. (C) 2011 Elsevier Espana, S.L. and SEA. All rights reserved.