Plasma lipid profile, atherogenic and coronary risk indices in some residents of Abeokuta in south-western Nigeria

The incidence of chronic degenerative diseases like stroke and myocardial infarction in African subpopulations is reported to be increasing. In view of the association between dyslipidemia and these chronic degenerative diseases, we investigated some well-established cardiovascular risk factors (plasma cholesterol and its fractions as high-density lipoprotein (HDL), low-density lipoprotein (LDL), triglyceride, adiposity and blood pressure) in 92 subjects (43 males and 49 females) in Abeokuta, Nigeria. LDL cholesterol was significantly higher in the women compared with men (128.58mg/dl vs 108.73mg/dl; p = 0.028). Total cholesterol, although slightly higher in women, was not significantly different from that of men (155.71mg/dl vs 147.26mg/dl). HDL cholesterol and triglyceride were not significantly different between the two sexes, although women tended to have lower HDL cholesterol when compared with men. LDL/HDL cholesterol and total cholesterol/HDL cholesterol were significantly higher in women compared with men (4.20 vs 2.97; p = 0.004; 5.03 vs 4.06; p = 0.024, respectively). Systolic blood pressure was higher in men compared with women (117.58 vs 104.84; p = 0.002). Results indicate that the association between cholesterol and chronic degenerative diseases is continuous with no single cholesterol level separating those who are at high risk from those who are not. Rather in defining cardiovascular risks in African populations, the ratios LDL/HDL cholesterol and total cholesterol/HDL cholesterol should be considered. It might be appropriate at this time in Nigeria to consider physical activity and pharmacological interventions in lowering blood lipids.