Sex and Body Mass Index differences in the incidence of vascular and cardiometabolic diseases: A retrospective cohort study including 233 730 patients in Germany
Authors' conclusion
Obesity is associated with an increased risk of vascular and cardiometabolic diseases. The strength and direction of associations show some variation between men and women, but these tendencies should be interpreted with caution.
Study context
- Population
- Patients aged ≥40 years with ≥1 recorded body mass index (BMI) measurement (January 2005–December 2023), IQVIA Disease Analyzer database, >3000 office-based physicians in Germany
- Participants
- 233,730 patients
- Exposure
- Obesity vs lower BMI groups
- Outcome
- Incidence of 14 vascular and cardiovascular conditions (ICD-10 codes)
- Follow-up
- 10 years
Main finding
As reported in the abstract
Vascular and cardiometabolic diseases with obesity
- HF, HR
- 1.95 (95% CI 1.85-2.05)
- PE, HR
- 1.83 (95% CI 1.62-2.07)
- AF/flutter, HR
- 1.63 (95% CI 1.55-1.72)
- Phlebitis/vein thrombosis, HR
- 1.60 (95% CI 1.51-1.70)
- Varicose veins of the lower extremities, HR
- 1.57 (95% CI 1.51-1.64)
- Angina pectoris, HR
- 1.30 (95% CI 1.21-1.41)
- MI, HR
- 1.26 (95% CI 1.15-1.38)
- Haemorrhagic stroke (lower risk), HR
- 0.76 (95% CI 0.62-0.93)
Observational data: associations, not effects.
Further findings
Sex-specific analyses
- Obesity associated with lower risk of aortic aneurysm (thoracic or abdominal) in women
- 26%
- Stronger associations in men for HF, angina pectoris and AF
- Stronger associations in women for PE, phlebitis/vein thrombosis, MI and varicose veins
- Aortic aneurysm in men: no significant effect
Original publication
Sex and Body Mass Index differences in the incidence of vascular and cardiometabolic diseases: A retrospective cohort study including 233 730 patients in Germany. Diabetes Obes Metab. Published 8 September 2025. doi:10.
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