People who used beta blockers in a Diabetic Clinic weighed 19.6 lbs more than non-users

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Among a total of 214 consecutive patients attending a diabetic clinic, 30% were taking beta blockers to lower blood pressure according to a study from Australia.

Those taking beta blockers were 19.6 pounds heavier than patients not taking a beta blocker (202 lbs vs 183 lbs).

Beta blockers are drugs are given for:

• abnormal heart rhythms
• High blood pressure
• Heart failure
• Angina (heart pain)
• Tremor
• Prevention of migraines
• given after a heart attack
• hyperthyroidism
• akathisia (restlessness or inability to sit still)
• panic disorder
• anxiety
• aggressive behavior

 

Note: The paper states that the difference was 9.2 kg or 20.2 lbs, however, Table 2 shows the average weight of each group which reveals of difference of 19.6 lbs, not 20.2 lbs.

Diet-induced thermogenesis reduced 50% in beta blocker users compared to controls

The researchers found that beta blockers reduced diet-induced thermogenesis 50% compared to controls.

Fat oxidation reduced 32% in beta blocker users compared to controls

The researchers found that beta blockers reduced fat oxidation by 32% compared to controls.

Weekly habitual activity reduced 30% in beta blocker users compared to controls

The researchers found that beta blockers reduced weekly habitual activity by 30% compared to controls.

Beta blockers can cause weight gain and obesity because they decrease calories burned

The researchers concluded that beta blockers reduce energy expenditure (EE), and increase body weight and can cause obesity because of the decrease in energy expenditure.

Duration of Beta-blocker Use

Duration of Beta-blocker use: Average of 7 years

Everyone using Beta-blockers had taken them for at least 3 years, and the average length of time for having taken them was 7 years.

Subjects

Subjects: 64 Beta-blocker users vs 150 non-users

The study involved 64 Beta-blocker users versus 150 non-users.

Obese patients were NOT more likely to be given a Beta-blocker

They did NOT find that obese patients were more likely to be prescribed a Beta-blocker

“It is possible that the association between Beta-blocker use and greater weight is confounded by a greater prescriptive use of anti-hypertensive agents to patients who are more obese. However, we did not find evidence for this among patients from the hypertension clinic.” the paper notes.

“In addition, analysis revealed that differences in anthropometric measures attributable to Beta-blocker use remained significant after adjusting for the concurrent use of other anti-hypertensive medications,” they continued.

“The observation that BMI among Beta-blocker users with diabetes was not different between those receiving polytherapy [multiple drugs] and monotherapy [Beta-blocker as the only blood pressure drug], suggests polytherapy itself was not associated with higher BMI.

Beta-blocker Use Associated with Obesity

‘Strong evidence’ that Beta-blocker increase the risk of obesity

“These findings support an independent association of Beta-blocker with obesity,” the paper states.

“The striking consistency in weight difference observed between Beta-blocker treated and non-treated patients in three different settings provide strong evidence for an obesogenic effect of Beta-blocker therapy, as supported by mechanistic evidence from evaluation of [ energy expenditure ].”

Reference

Lee P, Kengne AP, Greenfield JR, Day RO, Chalmers J, and Ho KK. Metabolic sequelae of beta-blocker therapy: weighing in on the obesity epidemic? Int J Obes (Lond), 2011 Nov; 35(11): 1395-1403.

Author’s Contact Info

Professor KKY Ho
Pituitary Research Unit
Garvan Insitute of Medical Research
384, Victoria Street
Darlinghurst, Sydney, New South Wales, Australia
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Articles on the same subject can be found here:

• Beta Blockers

• Weight-gaining drugs