A 3-year follow-up study of inpatients with lower limb ulcers: evidence of an obesity paradox?

Figures & data

Table 1 Baseline descriptive characteristics of 30 patients admitted to the vascular unit with lower limb ulcers between August and November 2007

Characteristic	BMI < 30 kg/m^2 (n = 20)	BMI ≥ 30 kg/m^2 (n = 10)
Males	15 (75%)	7 (70%)
Age < 60 years	4 (20%)	2 (20%)
Diabetes mellitus	11 (55%)	8 (80%)
Hypertension	11 (55%)	5 (50%)
Ischemic heart disease	8 (40%)	5 (50%)
Hyperlipidemia	14 (70%)	8 (80%)
Weight, kg	76.5 (44.2, 92.6)	105.8 (87.9, 129.6)‡
Fat mass, kg	25.5 (10.1, 36.9)	44.1 (22.5, 49.9)‡
Fat mass, %	67.0 (54.2, 85.4)	55.9 (49.7, 82.6)
Fat-free mass, kg	46.1 (33.1, 67.1)	57.7 (43.8, 107.1)†
Fat-free mass, %	33.0 (14.6, 45.8)	44.1 (17.4, 50.2)

Notes: Data are reported as n (%) or median (range) and statistical analyses performed using Chi-square and Mann–Whitney U.

† P < 0.05;

‡ P < 0.01.

Abbreviation: BMI, body mass index.

Figure 1 Survival curve for number of days to first readmission according to BMI.

Notes: Survival curve for number of days to first readmission according to BMI for 30 patients admitted to the vascular unit with lower limb ulcers between August and November 2007 and followed up for 3 years. P = 0.542 according to Kaplan–Meier log rank test.
Abbreviation: BMI, body mass index.

Table 2 Outcome data for 30 patients admitted to the vascular unit with lower limb ulcers between August and November 2007

Characteristic	BMI < 30 kg/m^2 (n = 20)	BMI ≥ 30 kg/m^2 (n = 10)
Readmissions
Number of readmissions	5 (0, 15)	4 (0, 18)
Total days inpatient from all readmissions	52 (1, 263)	41 (9, 228)
Days to first readmission	66 (5, 812)	72 (24, 302)
Readmission events
Cardiovascular disease	8/102 (8%)	3/52 (6%)
Respiratory	15/102 (15%)	8/52 (15%)
Infection	18/102 (18%)	23/52 (44%)
Any amputation	10/102 (10%)	4/52 (8%)
Other	51/102 (50%)	14/52 (27%)
All-cause mortality
Deceased	14/20 (70%)	2/10 (20%)†
Days to death	669 (21, 1095)	251 (73, 429)

Notes: Data presented as n (%) or median (range) and statistical analyses performed using Chi-square and Mann–Whitney U.

† P < 0.05.

Abbreviation: BMI, body mass index.

Figure 2 Survival curve for number of days to death according to BMI.

Notes: Survival curve for number of days to death according to BMI for 30 patients admitted to the vascular unit with lower limb ulcers between August and November 2007 and followed up for three years. P = 0.027 according to Kaplan–Meier log rank test.
Abbreviation: BMI, body mass index.

Table 3 Outcome data at 3 years for 30 patients admitted to the vascular unit with lower limb ulcers between August and November 2007 according to fat (kg, %) and fat-free mass (kg, %) as measured by bioelectrical impedance analysis

	Fat mass, kg	Fat mass, %	Fat-free mass, kg	Fat-free mass, %
Readmitted to hospital
Yes	28.5 (10.1, 49.9)	62.1 (49.7, 85.4)	56.2 (33.1, 107.1)	37.7 (14.6, 50.2)
No	32.1 (21.0, 43.2)	62.3 (55.9, 68.7)	50.5 (46.1, 54.8)	37.7 (31.3, 44.1)
Mortality
Deceased	25.5 (10.1, 48.1)†	67.0 (55.8, 82.6)	46.1 (33.1, 107.1)	33.0 (17.4, 44.3)
Alive	40.4 (11.1, 49.9)	59.1 (49.7, 85.4)	57.0 (36.5, 75.5)	40.8 (14.6, 50.2)

Notes: Data presented as median (range) and statistical analyses performed using Mann–Whitney U for fat or fat-free mass and readmission to hospital or death.

† P < 0.05.