Confounding variables for prescribed drug use.

BackgroundVisceral obesity (VATob) increases the risk for many diseases. Central obesity has been associated with an augmented prescription use; however, there is a paucity of research focused on VATob. Here, the aim was to evaluate the association between VATob and prescription use.MethodsData was collected from the NHANES dataset (2011–2018). Visceral adipose tissue was measured using dual x-ray absorptiometry, and VATob was defined as ≥100 cm2. Prescription use was collected from the RXQ_RX files and classified according to Vademecum. Association between VATob and prescription use was determined with logistic regression and reported as odds ratios (ORs) with 95% confidence intervals (95%CIs).Results10,952 participants (weighted: 121,090,702) were included, in which 41.8% were VATob and 52.0% of them had ≥1 prescription. Overall, VATob demonstrated an augmented rate of prescription use when compared to non-VATob (52.0% versus 36.7%, poverall = 1.9, 95%CI: 1.7–2.1, pmetabolic = 10.4; 95%CI: 6.5–16.6 & ORcardiovascular = 7.0; 95%CI: 4.4–11.1, pmetabolic = 4.1; 95%CI: 3.0–5.6 & ORcardiovascular = 3.4; 95%CI: 2.5–4.7, pmetabolic = 3.5; 95%CI: 2.3–5.3 & ORcardiovascular = 3.5; 95%CI: 2.5–4.9, pConclusionVATob is associated with augmented prescription use, particularly with cardiovascular and metabolic agents. This association was higher for normal weight participants.