Evaluation of the Obese Patient

Abstract

IN A previous issue,¹we provided an algorithm for use in evaluating the cases of obese patients. To determine the frequency of abnormalities among the various measurements in this algorithm, we have evaluated a large group of obese patients, and the results are reported in this article. Measures and Procedures Obese patients telephoning the Harbor General Hospital in response to an article in the daily newspaper were offered the opportunity to obtain a free medical evaluation in our Obesity Clinic. Each patient was seen once, on one of three separate weekends (Table 1). They were requested not to eat for 12 hours before the clinic appointments. Upon arrival, they filled out questionnaires concerning their present and past history of obesity. A blood sample was obtained on each patient, and those attending the third clinic received 40 gm/ sq m of a dextrose solution. A second blood sample was drawn