Characteristics and Blood Pressure Profile of Goitre Patients in A Tertiary Hospital in South-West Nigeria

Background: Goitre remains endemic in iodine deficient areas of the world despite widespread introduction of iodine fortified food. In Nigeria, it is the second most common condition in endocrinology clinic. There is a therefore a need to document the blood pressure profile and clinical characteristics of this condition.Objective: This study assessed the clinical characteristics, biochemical and blood pressure profile of patients with goitre in the study area and assessed their knowledge and practice of preventive measures against goitre.Methodology: A comparative study of 103 adults with goitres and 103 healthy controls. An interviewer administered questionnaire was used and venous blood samples were obtained for analyses. Variables of interest included socio-demographic, anthropometric, thyroid function, and blood pressure.Results: The mean age of the goitre group was 46.92 ± 13.85 years with 86.4% carrying the swelling for up to 5 years. Anthropometric parameters, social habits, knowledge, and practice of the preventive role of iodized salt were similar between the goitre and control  groups. Forty-six percent of the goitrous subjects were hyperthyroid. Weight and BMI were significantly higher among the hypothyroid subgroup (p<0.001), with subjects in the hyperthyroid subgroup having significantly higher pulse rate and systolic blood pressure  (p<0.001). The hypothyroid subgroup had significantly higher diastolic blood pressure and lower pulse pressure (p< 0.001).Conclusion: This study concluded that patients with hyperthyroidism and hypothyroidism were more likely to have elevated systolic and diastolic blood pressure, respectively. Routine cardiovascular status check is therefore important in goitrous patients

Assessment of Plasma Sodium to Potassium Ratio, Renal Function, Markers of Oxidative Stress, Inflammation, and Endothelial Dysfunction in Nigerian Hypertensive Patients

Background. This study investigated plasma sodium/potassium ratio, markers of oxidative stress, renal function, and endothelial dysfunction in hypertensive Nigerians. Materials and Methods. Five hundred forty-nine volunteers consisting of three hundred and twenty-four hypertensive and two hundred twenty-five controls participated in this study. Blood samples were collected from the participants and were analyzed for electrolytes, markers of oxidative stress, endothelial dysfunction, renal function, and inflammation, using ion-selective electrodes, spectrophotometric, and enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay methods, respectively. Results. The mean systolic blood pressure, mean diastolic blood pressure, mean arterial blood pressure, and body mass index (BMI) were significantly elevated among the hypertensive group when compared with control (p<0.001). The mean sodium increased, while potassium and bicarbonate (HCO3−) decreased (p<0.001) in hypertensive volunteers. The sodium-potassium ratio (Na+/K+) and urea were raised (p<0.001) in the hypertensive group when compared with the control. Glutathione, superoxide dismutase, nitric oxide (NO), and catalase were significantly reduced (p<0.001) while malondialdehyde (MDA), high-sensitivity C-reactive protein (hs-CRP), and ferritin were raised significantly (p<0.001) in hypertensive participants. The odds of hypertension and its complications increased (p<0.001) with an increase in BMI, Na+/K+, hs-CRP, MDA, and ferritin and a decrease in estimated glomerular filtration rate (eGFR), glutathione, superoxide dismutase, and catalase. Conclusion. An increase in Na+/K+, urea, hs-CRP, ferritin, MDA, and BMI and a decrease in eGFR, glutathione, and superoxide dismutase were associated with an increased risk of hypertension complication. Abnormal values of markers of oxidative stress, inflammation, and endothelial function could impact deleterious effects on the cardiovascular system among hypertensive Nigerians. A decreased bicarbonate possibly suggests an occult acid-base imbalance among hypertensive volunteers