Comparative Evaluation of Serum Calcium and Magnesium Level in Preeclamptic and NonPreeclamptic Women in a Tertiary Hospital in Southern Nigeria

Background: Calcium and magnesium are two micronutrients whose role in the development of preeclampsia has been investigated over the years. There is paucity of studies on the role of serum levels of calcium and magnesium in the development of preeclampsia in south-south Nigeria. Objective: Our study evaluated the serum level of calcium and magnesium in preeclamptic and non preeclamptic women in a Tertiary Hospital in southsouth Nigeria. Methodology: We carried out a comparative study in which 52 preeclamptic and 52 non preeclamptic women, who satisfied the eligibility criteria, were enrolled for the study. Data entry and statistical analysis was done using statistical software (IBM SPSS® for windows version 21.0). Data were analyzed for mean and standard deviation. Comparison of serum levels of elements between the two groups was performed by student t-test, and P value < 0.05 was considered as statistically significant. Results: The serum calcium level was statistically lower in the women who developed preeclampsia compared to those who did not (8.37±0.91 mg/dl vs 9.33±1.15mg/dl, p<0.001). The serum magnesium level was not statistically different between women who had preeclampsia and those who did not (1.79±0.24mg/dl vs 1.88±0.37mg/dl, p = 0.102). The systolic and diastolic blood pressure showed a significant negative correlation with serum calcium level, unlike serum magnesiun level in those that had preeclampsia. Conclusion: This study showed that women who developed preeclampsia demonstrated reduced serum calcium level and no reduction in serum magnesium level. This study support the hypothesis that hypocalcaemia, unlike hypomagnecaemia, is a possible aetiology of preeclampsia

Body Mass Index and Waist-To-Hip ratio among adults of Obowo Nationality in Imo State, Nigeria

This study investigates the nutritional health status of adults in Obowo L.G.A. Imo State, Nigeria, as indicated by their BMI and WHR. 500 adults were recruited for the study and using standard procedures, their height, weight, and waist-hip circumference, were measured and recorded for BMI and WHR determination. Data were analyzed using SPSS for discrete statistics and test of significance. Results showed a non-significant difference (P>0.05) in the mean BMI between males (26.45±0.73kg/m2) and females (24.65±0.16kg/m2). Male subjects presented a greater degree of obesity and are at a higher risk for cardiovascular diseases as 1.6%, 42.8%, 28% and 27.6% of the males and 2.8%, 60.4%, 22.8% and 14% of the females were found to be underweight, normal, overweight and obese respectively. However, a significant difference (P<0.05) was observed in the mean WHR between the males (0.92) and females (0.80), and while the health condition of 2.4% of the males were good, that of 13.6% were better, with 58% and 36% at moderate and high risk respectively. Amongst the females, 6.8% and 32.4% had good and better health conditions respectively, with 36% of them at moderate risk. The results of this study are therefore, recommended for health counseling in Imo State.Keywords: Body Mass Index, Waist-to-Hip Ratio, Hip circumference, Waist circumference, Obesity

Plasma cholinesterase activity in obese type 2 diabetics

Background: The metabolic syndrome which in recent times has been associated with obesity is known to be associated with increased morbidity and mortality. This group of patients tolerate surgery poorly and the metabolic syndrome has been partly blamed for this. Cholinesterase hydrolyzes succinylcholine, a potent muscle relaxant used during surgery. Deficiency of this enzyme results in sustained activity of succinylcholine leading to prolonged muscle relaxation and increased mortality. Aim: This study looks at the possibility of a relationship between the metabolic syndrome and plasma cholinesterase activity with a view to exploring the reasons for the increased morbidity and mortality associated with surgeries in patients with the metabolic syndrome. Methods: In this prospective study, 195 subjects were recruited, comprising 50 obese type- 2 diabetics (with the metabolic syndrome), 45 Obese type-2-diabetics (without the metabolic syndrome), 50 non-obese type-2-diabetics (without metabolic syndrome) and 50 non-diabetic, non-obese patients recruited as control. Standard criteria for the diagnosis of metabolic syndrome were used. Plasma cholinesterase was measured in all the groups using the kinetic colorimetric method. Results: The result showed a significant reduction in the plasma cholinesterase activity of obese type-2-diabetic patients who also had the metabolic syndrome) (3315 ± 671i.u/L) when compared with the control group (8219 ± 815 i.u/L), subjects without the metabolic syndrome showed normal plasma cholinesterase levels. Conclusion: Reduction in plasma cholinesterase activity is associated with the metabolic syndrome in obese type-2-diabetics. Port Harcourt Medical Journal Vol. 1(1) September 2006: 39-4

Urinary labile iron in obese and non-obese industrial workers in Port Harcourt

Background: Obesity precedes the development of many of the cardiovascular risk factors, including type 2 diabetes mellitus, hypertension and chronic kidney disease. Labile iron, which has been associated with these chronic diseases, may be one of the links between obesity and these disorders. Aim:  To determine the level of  urinary labile iron  in obese and non-obese industrial workers in Port Harcourt without diabetes and kidney diseases. Methods: Urinary labile iron was measured using standard methods in 100 randomly selected individuals without diabetes mellitus (50 were obese with body mass index ≥30 and 50 were non-obese with body mass index≤27). Participants were selected from the metabolic and out-patient clinic of an industrial hospital in Port Harcourt. All subjects were aged between 25 and 60 years. Results: There was a significant difference in the mean urinary labile iron between the obese and the non-obese participants (60±5.5nmol/µmol Vs 21.4± 3.7 nmol/µmol) (P<0.05). The significant predictor of increased urinary labile iron was obesity (P<0.05). Conclusion: Our study showed that obesity is associated with increased urinary labile iron. This may be a useful marker of oxidant stress.Keywords: Labile iron, Obesity, Industrial workers, Port Harcour

Comparison of mean prostate-specific antigen (PSA) values between sexually active males and age-matched celibate males

Prostate-specific antigen is currently quite useful in the clinical screening and early detection of prostate cancer. Sexual activity has been thought to be associated with increased PSA values. This poses a serious question as to the application of this useful screening tool in evaluation of prostate pathology in celibate males in terms of the possibility of creating a different “cut-off” for them. This study looks at the difference in the Prostate-Specific Antigen (PSA) values between sexually-active males and age-matched celibate males with a view to identifying any significant difference that may be of clinical importance. In this prospective study, 99 subjects were recruited, comprising 49 celibate males and 50 sexually-active males. All subjects were non-obese, had no prostatic symptoms and were not masturbating. Standard technique of specimen collection, processing and analysis of PSA values using Immunoassay technique were applied. The celibate group had a mean PSA value of 2.6±0.2ng/ml, while the sexually-active group had a mean PSA value of 2.7±0.1ng/ml. This difference was found not to be statistically significant (P>0.05). Provided individuals abstain from ejaculation. 72 hours to specimen collection, there is no need to create a different “cut-off” or criteria for interpretation of PSA values for celibate males. The same criteria for PSA value interpretation could be used for evaluation of prostate pathology in both groups. Key Words: Prostate-specific antigen, celibate, sexually-active, screenin

Fasting serum soluble CD 163 predicts risk of type 2 diabetes in individuals with the metabolic syndrome

Background: Activation of adipose tissue macrophages with concomitant low-grade inflammation is believed to play a central role in the evolution of type 2 diabetes. Aim: To assess whether a new macrophage-derived biomarker, soluble CD163, identifies at-risk individuals with metabolic syndrome before overt disease develops. Methods: A prospective study of 72 subjects with metabolic syndrome and without overt type 2 diabetes was done from 2006 - 2011 for incidence of type 2 diabetes. Risk of diabetes was categorized according to age, gender and level of soluble CD163. Statistical analysis system (SAS) 9.2 for windows was used to analyze data.Results: A total of  9(30%) of  the subjects in the age bracket of 20-40 years and 16(38.1%) of  the subjects in the age bracket of 41-60 years and who had high fasting serum soluble CD163 levels (> 1.5mg/L) developed diabetes in 5 years of follow-up. More females [7 (23.3%)] as against 2 (6.7%) males in the 20-40 years age bracket and 11 (26.2%) females as against 5 (11.9%) males in the 41-60 years age bracket progressed to overt type 2 diabetes within the 5 years period. Conclusion: Increased concentrations of soluble CD163 in individuals with metabolic syndrome predict increased risk of type 2 diabetes and may be a useful marker for identification of high risk metabolic syndrome individuals. Keywords: Soluble CD163, Type 2 diabetes mellitus, Metabolic syndrom

Comparison of red cell cholinesterase and plasma cholinesterase activities in early detection of organo-phosphorus toxicity in exposed industrial workers in Port Harcourt, Nigeria

No Abstract. Nigerian Journal of Medicine Vol 15 (3) July-September: 314-31

Screening for microalbuminuria in newly diagnosed type 2 diabetics at a staff clinic in Port Harcourt

Background: Most individuals working in the Nigerian National Petroleum Company (NNPC) Port Harcourt are obese (with BMI> 29 kg/m2). This has been attributed to change in diet and life style. Most of these individuals present with type 2 diabetes. Individuals with diabetes are at higher risk of suffering renal damage. It is observed that in spite of the medical facilities made available to these company workers, they do not present early for management but rather present when diabetic complications have set in to worsen outcome of management. Aim: To study the prevalence of microalbuminuria (as an evidence of onset of renal complication of diabetes) in newly diagnosed type 2 diabetics and its possible relationship with other diabetic complications in this group of patients. Methods: In this prospective study, 60 newly diagnosed type 2 diabetics were tested for microalbuminuria using micral test strips. Subjects and controls were also assessed for retinopathy, hypertension and glycated haemoglobin levels. Results: Microalbuminuria was present in 38 (63.3%) patients and was found to be significantly associated with mean arterial pressure, systemic hypertension, glycated haemoglobin levels and diabetic retinopathy (

Plasma glucose in a reference population in Port Harcourt, Nigeria

Background: Reference intervals are important in the analysis of results obtained for patients in the Hospital. These intervals tend to change as population demographics change. Globally, there has been an increase in the prevalence of diabetes and a change in the criteria set in diagnosing this disease. Since we have used the same reference intervals since 1984, it became imperative to review the reference intervals in use in our Hospital, the University of Port Harcourt Teaching Hospital, Port Harcourt, Nigeria. Methods: A total of 605 patients from the Out-Patient department and the Hospital community randomly following informed consent. Five milliliters (5mls) of blood was collected into fluorides oxalate bottles between 9.00-11.00 a.m. after an overnight fast for the determination of plasma glucose. The samples were assayed daily within two hours of collection. Serum glucose was determined using the glucose oxidase method (Randox Laboratories-Antrim UK). Results: The reference interval covering the central 95th centile as determined by non-parametric methods was 3.0-5.7 mmol/L (95% confidence interval-2.7-3.2 and 5.6-5.8 mmol/L) for the entire study population, while that for males was 2.9-6.3 mmol/L and that for females was 3.3-5.6 mmol/L. Conclusion: It is essential to review reference intervals periodically as changes may occur due to changes in population demographics. Keywords: Reference intervals, Plasma glucose, Reference population.Port Harcourt Medical Journal Vol. 2 (3) 2008: pp. 228-23