Lipid abnormalities: A case study of Ahmadu Bello University Teaching Hospital, Zaria, Nigeria

Abstract

Background : Abnormal lipid levels, especially elevated total cholesterol (TC), low density lipoprotein cholesterol (LDL-C) and triglyceride (TG) and decreased high density lipoprotein cholesterol (HDL-C), contribute additional risk to patients with diabetes mellitus (DM) and coronary heart disease (CHD). Reports on the pattern of lipid profile abnormality in blacks are scanty and inconsistent. The aim of the present study has been to carry out a retrospective analysis of lipid profile investigation in Ahmadu Bello University Teaching Hospital (ABUTH), Zaria. Materials and Methods : A total of 448 patients with different disease conditions, such as type II DM, CHD, renal disorders, liver diseases and other abnormalities, who were referred to the chemical pathology laboratory from various clinics and hospitals for lipid profile analysis were assessed. The subjects were made up of 312 (69.67%) males and 136 (30.33%) females. The mean age for the total (combined males and females) was 58 (ranged 45-72) years and the mean age values for males and females were 62 (ranged 51-73) and 53 (ranged 35-65) years respectively. Results : The results show that abnormal lipid profile was found in 51 (11.38%) patients who were consisted of 33 (67.71%) males and 18 (35.29%) females. These also consisted of 35 (68.63%) patients with cardiovascular diseases (CVD), 5 (9.80%) patients with type II diabetes mellitus (DM) and 11 (21.57%) patients with other clinical conditions such as liver and renal diseases. Hypercholesterolemia and hypertriglyceridemia alone were observed in 8 and 15 patients respectively. Low density lipoprotein cholesterol (LDL-C) levels were elevated in 11 patients. Thirty six (36) patients had reduced levels of HDL-C only, with concomitant high levels of TC/HDL-C ratio. Combined hyperlipidemia was observed in only five patients. The results revealed that abnormal lipid profile pattern was higher in patients with CVD (68.60%) than in other cases. Conclusion : The results of the present study demonstrate that low HDL-C levels seemed to be more prevalent in this population. This report could contribute to the ongoing work on lipid research in Nigeria and the world at large.