ANTIOBESITY FORMULAS, ALSO called fat-burning pills or (SP), are very popular among Brazilian women, even though being condemned by medical associations. Small studies conducted in other countries have shown that these pills can cause changes in thyroid function. A study in two Brazilian metropolitan cities have also shown that four to six active components predominated in these prescriptions, but there were prescriptions listing as many as 17 components. Diuretics, thyroid agents, laxatives, medicinal plants, and a variety of other substances were often included and the prescribed doses were frequently above recommended limits. Anecdotal reports suggest a depression of the thyroid function due to the use of these pills, since most of them have variable amounts of T3. However, to our knowledge no population-based study has shown the importance of these drugs on thyroid function. We evaluated the frequency of use of SP and their association with overweight/obesity and levels of TSH among a probabilistic sample of women 35 years and older.
Statistical analysis
Weighted prevalence and means were calculated using Statistical Analysis System procedures (SAS, Institute Inc. Cary, NC, USA, version 8.2). All statistical analyses were conducted using the individual sample weights and taking into account the effect of the sample design. Multivariate linear
regression analyses compared TSH levels among users and nonusers of SP, with adjustment for age and BMI (Proc surveyreg). Logarithmic transformation of TSH was used to normalize the distribution. The study protocol and informed consent were approved by the Ethics committee of the State University of Rio de Janeiro IRB, in March 8, 2004.
RESULTS
The weighted frequency of SP usage any time in life was 34% and the usage in the previous two months was
11%. Both frequencies were higher among younger and overweight women and among those women on
high socioeconomic level, as indicated by income quartile and years of schooling.
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