ISSN 2360-7920
Corresponding author: Ikpeazu VO . :Received: 25/7/2022 | Accepted: 27/7/.2022 | Published:28/7/2022
Abstract: Coronary artery disease is the epidemic of modern civilization in which dyslipidaemia contributes significantly to its pathogenesis. As lipid profile and lipid ratios such as atherogenic index of plasma are important markers to predict the risk of atherosclerotic coronary artery disease, this study is aimed at evaluating the atherogenic index of plasma lipids in apparently healthy staff of Abia State University Teaching Hospital (ABSUTH) Aba to enable early detection and identification of those at risk of developing coronary artery events. The study was conducted on 72 apparently healthy staff and these subjects were grouped into five according to their ages. All respondents for lipid and glucose estimations were asked to do an overnight fasting of 12 hours. About 7 millilitres (7 ml) of fasting blood samples were collected by venipuncture techniques from the antecubital vein into sterile containers under aseptic conditions. About 2 ml of blood was stored in fluoride oxalate containing bottles for glucose estimation and 5 ml of blood was stored in lithium heparin bottle for lipid assay. Plasma glucose, High density lipoprotein (HDL), Total Cholesterol (TC), Triglyceride (TG), Low density lipoprotein (LDL) were determined and Atherogenic index (AIP) was calculated.
Data obtained were analyzed using Statistical Package for Social Sciences (SPSS version 25) and one-way analysis of variance (ANOVA), student t test and expressed as Mean standard deviation. Significant level for the analysis was set at P-value equal to or less than 0.05 (P-0.05) which was considered as being statistically significant .TC, TG and LDL values were significantly higher in females than males. Meanwhile, HDL was higher in males as compared to females. Elevated total cholesterol, elevated low-density lipoprotein, elevated triglycerides and low high-density lipoprotein were seen in 11%, 14%, 20% and 24% of the subjects respectively. Hyperlipidemia was more prevalent among female than males. Atherogenic index of plasma predicted a low risk (0.1±0.29) predisposition to cardiovascular events with females being at significantly higher risk (0.20±0.27 versus 0.02±0.26, p≤0.05) than males. The study revealed that staff of ABSUTH were at low risk for development of cardiovascular disease. However, it is advised that total lipid analysis be included as part of routine lipid profile test in the laboratory evaluation of cardiovascular events since prevention is better than cure.
Keywords: Cardiovascular disease, Hyperlipidemia, Triglyceride, Atherogenic index and Coronary artery