Relationship between ABO blood group phenotypes and some cardiovascular risk factors among undergraduate students in Kano Nigeria

Background: Studies have linked ABO phenotypes to cardiovascular diseases (CVDs); however, data on the relationship between ABO phenotypes and CDV risk factors among healthy adults are lacking. Aim: To determine the relationship between ABO phenotypes and CVD risk factors among undergraduate students in Kano, Nigeria. Materials and Methods: This cross-sectional descriptive study recruited 150 participants. ABO phenotypes were determined using monoclonal antisera. Serum total cholesterol (TC), triglycerides (TG), and high-density lipoprotein cholesterolwere determined enzymatically, while low-density lipoprotein cholesterol (LDL-c) was calculated using the Friedewald equation. Blood pressure and anthropometric measurements were by standard protocols. Data were analyzed using SPSS version 23.0; P ≤ 0.05 was considered statistically significant. Results: Mean age of the participants was 23.12 ± 2.97 (17–31) years. The frequency of ABO phenotypes among the participants was: O (39.3%), B (26.0%), A (23.3%), and AB (11.3%). Non-O phenotypes had significantly lower systolic blood pressure (P = 0.050), higher TC (P = 0.023), TG (P = 0.003), and LDL-c (P = 0.050) compared to O phenotypes. Of the non-O phenotypes, A had significantly higher TC compared to B (P = 0.004) and O (P = 0.001); higher TG compared to O (P = 0.001); higher LDL-c compared to B (P = 0.001), AB (P = 0.042), and O (P = 0.006); heavier compared to B (P = 0.012) and O (P = 0.033); and higher hip circumference compared to B (P = 0.022). Conclusion: Non-O phenotypes, especially A phenotypes, had significantly higher mean serum lipids compared to O. ABO phenotypes should be considered in CVD risk stratification.