Endocrine Abstracts

Background: The lipid profile of healthy adults in northern Nigeria is scarcely reported in literature. Yet, hospital records show increasing frequency of dyslipidemia-related illnesses like CVA, MI, and peripheral vascular diseases in practice. We aim to report the pattern of lipid abnormalities in a rural population in Kano, Nigeria.

Methods: A population screening of apparently healthy adults resident in sub urban community in Kano was undertaken over 5 months period (November 2014–April 2015). Anthropometric indices, BP measurements, fasting plasma lipids, and fasting plasma glucose were performed. Data analyzed using SPSS version 16.

Results: A total of 1024 adults with a mean age of 41.85 (S.D. 17.62) years (age range of 18–94 years) were screened. The mean BMI, WC, and FPG were 23.265 (S.D. 4.578), 84.11 cm (S.D. 12.82296), 4.7 mmol/l (1.2) respectively. Mean WHR, weight, and height of the subjects was 0.88097 (S.D. 0.06867), 60.97 kg (12.82), and 1.619 M (0.8318) respectively. Dyslipidemia was found in 37.9% of subjects with the predominant abnormality being low HDL cholesterol 29.3%, followed by elevated LDL cholesterol 19.73%. The proportion of patients with abnormal Fasting plasma glucose was 1.78%, IFG 1.07%, and DM range 3.9%. A significant proportion of the subjects were not knowledgeable about the relevance of periodic routine medical examination and dangers of abnormal lipids.

Conclusion: A substantial proportion of adults in rural Nigeria has abnormal lipid patterns and is unaware of their health status. We recommend public enlightenment on health education to stem the tide of NCDs and improve health-seeking behavior in our population.