Metabolic Syndrome in a Rural Nigerian Community: Is Central Obesity always the key Determinant?

Background: Metabolic syndrome (MS) is primarily the consequence of excess central adiposity but can also result from low grade systemic inflammation inducing insulin resistance. There is a global increase in the prevalence of MS; it is on this background that evaluation of the prevalence of MS in a poor rural farming community with a low expected low prevalence of obesity is relevant. The objective of this study was to determine the prevalence of metabolic syndrome using the National Cholesterol Education Project: Adult Treatment Panel III definition (MS-ATP) in a rural Nigerian community.Methods: 300 adult consenting participants were bled after an overnight fast, and venous blood obtained for lipid studies and fasting blood glucose estimation. Measurements were made to determine height, weight, waist circumference and blood pressure. The prevalence of each diagnostic component was determined and the relative risk (RR) of each component for MS-ATP was calculated.Results: The prevalence of MS-ATP was 6.30%, central obesity 5.33% (RR=3.3[95% CI:1.08-10.26]), and hypertriglyceridaemia 11.33% (RR=21.91[95% CI:8.42- 57.32]). The prevalence of low HDL-cholesterol was highest (85.67%) but the RR was not calculable.Conclusion: Unlike previous reports the prevalence of central obesity was very low in this study and contributed little to the development of MS-ATP. Hypertriglyceridaemia appears to be associated with the greatest risk of developing metabolic syndrome in this community while Low HDLcholesterol although most prevalent is a poor diagnostic requirement for metabolic syndrome.Key Words: Metabolic syndrome; rural community; Nigeri

Article Prevalence of Hyperuricaemia in a Rural Population of Nigerian Niger Delta Region

INTRODUCTION: Hyperuricemia is a cardiovascular disease risk factor that has been poorly researched into in Africa and its prevalence is largely unknown in the rural areas in Nigeria and in the Niger Delta region of Nigeria in particular.METHODS: A cross-sectional rural survey involving 500 subjects aged 15 years and above. Demographic and social data were obtained using a questionnaire. Anthropometric (height, weight, waist circumference) and blood pressure measurements were taken. Blood samples were taken for blood uric acid, glucose and lipid check.RESULTS: The mean age of the study subjects was 41.32±17.0 (males, 42.84±17.8; females, 40.62±16.6) with a range of 15 years to 95 years. The male to female ratio was 1:2.3. The mean serum uric acid was337.58±94.59 mmol/l with a significant higher mean for females (males 333.20±88.70, females 339.56±97.21, p<0.001). Hyperuricemia was found in 86 subject giving a prevalence of 17.2 % with higher prevalence inmales (males 25%, females 13.7%; x2 = 7.75, p= 0.006). Correlational analysis of serum uric acid with other parameters revealed that waist circumference, total cholesterol, low-density lipoprotein and gender hadsignificant association with uric acid. Male gender was found to be a significant predictor for hyperuricaemia following a logistic regression.CONCLUSION: The prevalence of hyperuricemia is high in this rural community of study. There is need for more research considering the cardiovascular and otherimplications of hyperuricaemia.KEY WORDS: Hyperuricaemia, prevalence, Rural, Niger Delta, Nigeri

An Appraisal of Hospital Based Blood Pressure Control in Port Harcourt, Nigeria.

Background: Adequate blood pressure control is a major strategy, in the attempt to reduce the morbidity and mortality of hypertension related cardiovascular disease. The aim of this study was to determine the level of blood pressure control among patients receiving treatment for hypertension in a specialist medical outpatient clinic (MOPD) of The University of Port Harcourt teaching hospital (UPTH).Method: A prospective descriptive cross sectional study was undertaken over three months, to determine the level of blood pressure control among patients receiving treatment for hypertension.Result: Two hundred and seven (207) patients were evaluated. The mean systolic blood pressure of all the study subjects was 149±19.33mmHg while the mean diastolic blood pressure was 93.48±13mmHg. A total of fifty subjects (24.2 %) had controlled blood pressure of less than 140/90mmHg.Conclusion: The percentage of hypertensive patients who achieved adequate blood pressure control is low. There is need to identify impediments to good blood pressure control and deal with them so as to optimize the benefit of antihypertensive treatment.Keywords: Blood Pressure; Control; Port Harcourt Hospita

The effects of body mass index on some electrocardiographic parameters in young adults: Report of a pilot study

No Abstract

Prevalence of risk factors for chronic kidney disease in a rural adult population in Rivers State

Background: The prevalence of chronic kidney disease (CKD) is on the increase globally with attendant heavy disease burden and high morbidity and mortality especially in the resource poor countries. Preventive measures are increasingly being explored. We undertook a survey to determine the prevalence of some risk factors of CKD and identify the at-risk individuals.Methods: Body mass index (BMI), dip-stick urine protein and urine glucose, random blood glucose and blood pressures were measured in adult subjects of Barako, a rural community in the Gokana Local Government area of Rivers state during a one-day Rotary eye camp exercise.Results: Out of the 154 subjects that responded, 152 satisfied the inclusion criteria and were studied.  They had a mean age of 48.9 + 14.8(18-85) years and M:F ratio of 1:1.4. The  mean body mass index (BMI) was 25.8 + 4.8 (11.1-40 .9) kg/m2. Forty-nine subjects (34.8%) were pre-obese while 13.5% were Obese.  Proteinuria was seen in 29.7% while none of the subjects had glycosuria. The mean random blood glucose was 6.6 +1.4(4.2-9.8) mmol/l. Four subjects (5%) were previously diagnosed diabetics.The mean systolic blood pressure was 129.9 + 21.6(100-220) mmHg, mean diastolic blood pressure was 70.9 + 13.1(50-110) mmHg and the prevalence of hypertension was 27.9%. BMI showed positive correlation with proteinuria (r = +0.2), while both systolic and diastolic blood pressures showed weak positive correlations with proteinuria (r = +0.02 and r = +0.06 respectively).Conclusions: The study shows, that the evaluated risk factors of CKD, obesity, hypertension, diabetes and proteinuria are common in this rural community of Rivers State. Keywords: Chronic kidney disease (CKD), Risk factors, Rural community, Rivers Stat

Type 2 diabetes mellitus: A review of pharmacological treatment

No Abstract. Nigerian Journal of Medicine Vol. 15(3) July-September 2006: 207-21

Effects of subacute administration of protein powder on the histology of rat kidneys

Abstract not supplie

The Prevalence of Obesity as Indicated by BMI and Waist Circumference among Nigerian Adults Attending Family Medicine Clinics as Outpatients in Rivers State

Background: The prevalence of overweight and obesity in most developed countries and in urban areas of many less developed countries has been increasing markedly over the past twenty years. This study\'s aims were to determine the prevalence of obesity using BMI and waist circumference among Nigerian adults attending Family Medicine Clinics as outpatients and to assess the relative associations with CVD risk factors. Methods: Subjects, who all volunteered for this study, reported at the study centres after an overnight fast, to be weighed (in kg), for their heights (in metres), blood pressure and waist circumference (in cm) measured, and their venous blood samples taken for lipid studies and fasting blood glucose estimation. Results were analysed using SPSS for windows software (version 11) and Epi Info (version 6.04d). Results: The prevalence of obesity as determined by large waist circumference was 31.7% at the Okrika (rural) centre and 16.9% at the Port Harcourt centre. It was 16.3% at the Okrika centre and 14% at the Port Harcourt centre, as determined by BMI = 30 kgm-2. Obesity as determined by BMI = 30 kgm-2 is more prevalent among young adults (< 40 years) in Port Harcourt than at Okrika. Obesity by both definitions is more prevalent among females than among males (p < 0.01) and more among subjects older than 40 years. Both indices of obesity appear to be significantly associated with CVD risk factors. Conclusion: Obesity in our environment is strongly associated with a family history of obesity and a sedentary lifestyle. It is therefore not surprisingly more prevalent among females and older members of society. Healthier eating and social habits, and increased physical activity need to be strongly encouraged. Keywords: Waist circumference, BMI, Obesity, Prevalence, Nigerians Nigerian Journal of Medicine Vol. 17 (3) 2008: pp. 340-34