Influence of Overweight and Obesity on Morbidity and Mortality among Hospitalized Patients in Sri Lanka: A Single-Center Analysis

BACKGROUND: Current evidence regarding the association between overweight and obesity and in-hospital morbidity and mortality is inconsistent and South Asian populations are underrepresented. METHODS: Data relevant to anthropometry, hospital outcomes, complications, and medical diagnoses of all acute medical admissions to the National Hospital of Sri Lanka were collected over a period of 3 months. Analysis was performed with WHO international (ICs) and Asian obesity cut-offs (ACs). RESULTS: Sample size was 2,128 (median age: 57 years [IQR: 42, 67], males: 49.7%). High prevalence of overweight (23.5%), generalized obesity (10.4%), central obesity (28.5%), and underweight (15.4%) was observed (ICs). Patients with either generalized or central obesity had significantly higher in-hospital mortality (4.8% versus 2.5%, p = 0.031) and acute kidney injury (AKI) (3.9% versus 1.2%) (p = 0.001) compared to normal weight. With ACs, overweight and obesity prevalence increased, without any significant increment in morbidity and mortality, but median length of hospital stay was significantly reduced in patients with generalized obesity compared to normal (3 [IQR: 2, 5] versus 4 [IQR: 2, 6], p = 0.014). Infections (44.4%) and cardiovascular diseases (CVDs) (25.9%) were the most common causes of admission. Overweight and generalized obesity or central obesity were associated with increased prevalence of acute CVDs and CVD risk factors and lower prevalence of acute infections, whilst underweight showed an inverse association. CONCLUSION: A double burden of malnutrition and diseases were noted among hospital admissions, with obesity being a risk factor for in-hospital all-cause mortality and AKI. Overweight and obesity were associated with increased CVDs and reduced infections. Larger prospective studies are required to characterize these associations among South Asians.