Plasma Lipid Profiles in Hypertensive Nigerians

摘要

Background: The association between hypertension and dyslipidaemia is well established and both may add up to increase patients’ susceptibility to the development of coronary heart disease. Methods: Lipid profiles were studied in one hundred and fifty (150) hypertensive patients aged 30-59 years and thirty (30) age- and socio-economically matched normotensive controls using standard laboratory techniques. Results: Of the 150 hypertensive patients, 54% (n = 69) were females with majority (45.7%) in the age range 50-59 years while majority (53.6%) of hypertensive males were in the age group 40-49 years. Hypertensive patients have significantly higher lipid profile except for HDL-Cholesterol, which did not show any significant difference in the two groups. Among the hypertensive patients, total cholesterol was positively correlated with triglyceride (0.399,p < 0.05), LDL-cholesterol (r = 0.609,p < 0.05) and HDL- cholesterol (r = 0.866,p < 0.05) and HDL-C positively correlated with LDL-C (r = 0.218,p < 0.05). In normotensive patients however, LDL-cholesterol was negatively correlated with triglyceride (r = -0.409,p < 0.05) while total cholesterol was positively correlated with LDL-cholesterol (r = 0.876,p < 0.05). Conclusion: Hypertensive Nigerians have significantly elevated plasma total cholesterol, Triglyceride and LDL-C but comparable HDL-C with normotensives. The clinical implications of elevated HDL-C in hypercholesterolemic hypertensive Nigerians are unclear. Introduction Hypertension which is defined as blood pressure of equal to or greater than 140/90mmHg [1] has been recognised as the most common cardiovascular disorder [2] and a leading cause of morbidity and mortality in both developed and developing countries [3]. Hypertension has been recognised as one of ten (10) leading reported causes of death with about 4% of such deaths due to hypertensive complications [4]. Although the prevalence of hypertension is higher in the whites than the black populations [5], and increases with age in both races [6], higher mortality is associated with hypertension in blacks, especially among Nigerians [56]. It has been found that men have a higher prevalence of hypertension than women although this changes later in life with substantial increase in the number of females with hypertension after the age of 50 years [6]. The risk factors that have been associated with hypertension include increased salt intake, obesity, diabetes mellitus, cigarette smoking, elevated serum lipids, sedentary lifestyle and diets rich in saturated fats, genetic factors and stress [7]. Dyslipidaemia (hyperlipidaemia), which is associated with hypertension, has been recognised as independent risk factor for cardiovascular disease, a leading diagnosis for visits to physicians [6] and cause of death [8]. The association between hypertension and dyslipidaemia is well established and both may add up to increase patients’ susceptibility to the development of coronary heart disease. Different plasma lipids vary significantly in various population groups due to difference in geographical, cultural [9], economical, social conditions [10], dietary habits and genetic makeup. Age and gender differences also affect serum lipids considerably [111213]. This study was conducted to assess the plasma lipid profile of hypertensive Nigerians. The objective is to provide documented scientific information on the interactions between hypertension and lipid profile of hypertensive Nigerians. Materials And Methods This study was conducted in the Department of Chemical Pathology in conjunction with the Department of Internal Medicine at the University of Benin Teaching Hospital, Benin City, Edo State, Nigeria. The Research and Ethics Committee of the University of Benin Teaching Hospital approved the protocol for the study. On obtaining their consents, hypertensive patients (diagnosed by a Consultant Physician in the Department of Internal Medicine of the University of Benin Teaching