Mortality Risk in Persons with Obesity: The Role of Cardiovascular and Metabolic Medication Use

Persons with obesity (PwO) are at an elevated risk of both cardiovascular and metabolic diseases as well as increased mortality risk. The effects of medication use on this relationship has not been investigated and is the focus of the current investigation. This study utilized data from 1999-2018 pooled cycles of the US NHANES. In general, death rates were higher in those taking medications. PwO aged 65 years and older who were taking cardiovascular or metabolic medications had a lower risk of mortality than those of a normal weight over 65 years of age and older without each respective medication. Conversely, PwO aged 30 to 64 years old showed a higher mortality risk than those of a normal weight, with greater risk of mortality observed in those using medication than those without.