Weight loss associated with socioeconomic status in patients with angina pectoris, 5 years after an angiography

The aim of the study is to assess the association between weight loss and socioeconomic
status (SES) in patients with cardiovascular disease (CVD) such as angina pectoris.
Method:In 2013-2014, 1,873 patients out of 4,391 that had undergone an angiography in 2008
-2009 participated in a follow-up study. Among these patients, 457 suffered from angina pectoris
and were obese or overweight at baseline. A self-administered questionnaire was completed.
Moderate weight loss was defined as the loss of 5%-10%, severe weigh loss as more than 10
% of baseline weight. Household-income was used as proxy for SES. Logistic regression was
applied to assess the association between weight loss and SES.
Results:During the reference period, 28% of the participants lost weight. A moderate weight loss was higher in patients with a household income between 3000€ and 4500€ per month (OR: 2.3; CI 95%: 1.0-5.2) and higher than 4500€ per month (OR: 3.0; CI 95%: 1.3-7.2) compared to the lowest income group (less than 3000€ per month). A severe weight loss was not
associated with income. However, a severe weight loss was higher for retired patients (OR: 4.3; CI 95%: 1.1-17.0) compared to non-retired.Conclusion:
The potential reduction of health inequality by an elimination of social inequalities in weight loss among patients with angina pectoris might be substantial. Moderate weight loss in
overweight patients with angina pectoris at baseline could be associated with household income. Intervention strategies in secondary prevention should address these social inequalities in order to support equity in health.