Sodium, potassium food intake and global cardiovascular risks in Togo

Objectives. To assess urinary sodium/potassium intake and identify its links with global cardiovascular risk (RCVG) according to the WHOPEN approach to WHO/ISH (International High Blood Pressure Society). Methods. It was a cross-sectional and analytical study that took place from July 6, 2020, to September 17, 2021, in Togo, in the Aneho, Notse and Dapaong localities. It focused on 400 adults selected by sampling. The analysis of two urine samples was done. Cardiovascular risk scores were determined from specific graphs that take into account age, gender, systolic blood pressure, diabetes status and smoking behavior. Results. Among the 400 respondents, 49% lived in rural areas. The average age was 41 (30; 51) years. The average sodium and potassium intakes were respectively 3.2 g (1.04-5.99) or 7.95 g of salt and 1.4 g (1.89-5.62) per day. The risk of excessive sodium intake was 2.39 times higher in urban areas than in rural ones (p=0.049). Residing in rural areas was associated with high potassium intakes compared to urban ones (OR=3,2 IC [1.89-5.62]). Thirteen percent (13%) of respondents were likely to develop at least a deadly or non-deadly cardiovascular disease in the next 10 years 'time, of whom 5% present a high risk. Excessive sodium intake increases by 2.10 times the risk of a deadly cardiovascular disease occurrence. Conclusions. Sodium intakes are high while potassium intakes are low with a subsequent global cardiovascular risk (GCVR) in the three cities. Sodium intakes were associated with VCVR. It is necessary to take steps to reduce excessive sodium intake and improve potassium intake.

Preoperative serum sodium measurements and postoperative inpatient mortality: A case-control analysis of data from the South African Surgical Outcomes Study

Background. Abnormal preoperative serum sodium measurements have been shown to be associated with increased postoperative mortality in US and European surgical populations. It is possible that such measurements are also associated with increased postoperative mortality in a South African (SA) setting, but this is yet to be confirmed. Establishing whether preoperative serum sodium measurements are associated with postoperative mortality could have implications for perioperative risk stratification in SA settings.Objectives. To determine whether preoperative serum sodium measurements are associated with postoperative mortality in SA surgical patients.Methods. This was an unmatched case-control study of patient data (demographics, comorbidities, procedure-related variables, and preoperative serum sodium measurements) collected during the South African Surgical Outcomes Study. Data were analysed using recommended statistical methods for unmatched case-control studies.Results. The study population comprised 103 patients and 410 controls. Cases were defined as patients who suffered postoperative inpatient mortality, while controls were defined as patients who did not suffer postoperative inpatient mortality. Preoperative hypernatraemia (i.e. a preoperative serum sodium measurement >144 mEq/L) was independently associated with a four-fold higher risk of postoperative inpatient mortality compared with a normal preoperative serum sodium measurement of 135 - 144 mEq/L (odds ratio (OR) 4.21, 95% confidence interval (CI) 1.19 - 14.83, p=0.025). Preoperative hyponatraemia (i.e. a preoperative serum sodium measurement <135 mEq/L) was not independently associated with a higher or lower risk of postoperative inpatient mortality compared with a normal preoperative serum sodium measurement (OR 1.39, 95% CI 0.70 - 2.76, p=0.346).Conclusions. Preoperative hypernatraemia, but not preoperative hyponatraemia, is a risk factor for postoperative inpatient mortality in SA surgical patients

Added Sugar and Dietary Sodium Intake from Purchased Fast Food; Confectionery; Sweetened Beverages and Snacks among Sowetan Adolescents

Background. Greater availability and accessibility of fast foods; sugar-sweetened beverages and snacks in urban South Africa may be contributing to the burgeoning obesity epidemic in adolescents. Objectives. To determine the consumption of purchased foods and drinks among a cohort of urban adolescents; and to estimate the added sugar and dietary sodium intake from these foods and beverages.Methods. Participants (N=1 451; 49.6 male; mean 17.7 years of age) completed interviewer-assisted questionnaires on dietary intake practices pertaining to food choices in the home; school and community. The consumption of fast foods; sugar-sweetened beverages and snacks was determined and the average added sugar and sodium intakes were estimated.Results. The median (interquartile range) intake of fast foods was 11 (7 - 16) items/week in both sexes. Sweetened beverages were consumed 8 (5 - 11) and 10 (6 - 11) times/week by males and females; respectively (p0.02). Females consumed confectionery more often than males (13 (9 - 17) and 11 (8 - 15) items/week; respectively; p0.01). Seven (5 - 10) salty snack items/week were consumed by both sexes. Overall; mean added sugar intake from these purchased food items was estimated at 561.6 g/week for males and 485.3 g/week for females; respectively (p0.05). Conclusion. In this study; males and females consumed on average three times the recommended daily intake of added sugar; and more than half of the recommended daily salt intake from these purchased foods alone. These dietary patterns during adolescence may exacerbate the risk of obesity and hypertension in later adult life

Plasma electrolytes in healthy individuals and elective surgical patients in Khartoum

Objectives: This study aimed to investigate if the frequently observed low preoperative values of the plasma electrolytes Na+; K+; and Ca+2 in our surgical patients; in Khartoum; is a reflection of their levels in the population at large or it is a genuine finding in patients.Methods: 90 male and female subjects were included in this study. 60 healthy; young and elderly individuals were selected randomly from amongst medical students and employees of the University of Khartoum. 30 elective orthopedic and general surgical patients were randomly selected from Khartoum teaching hospital. Plasma Na+ and K+ were measured using a digital flammometer; and plasma Ca+2 was measured using a spectrophotometer. Results were compared to international data using the Z test. Comparison between the groups in the study was done using the student t-test. Results: Plasma Na+; K+; and Ca+2of the healthy subjects and the surgical patients were found to be low compared to the international reference values. Plasma K+ is higher and Ca+2is lower in the older subjects when compared to young ones. Conclusion: a larger study is needed to set the normal values for plasma electrolytes in the Sudan. The high environmental temperature and nature of our diets could be the reason for the observed differences between our subjects and international reference values