ABSTRACT
To evaluate the cardiovascular risk factor in Pakistani females, using oral and injectable contraceptives by determining lipid profile and lipoproten [a]. This study was carried out prospectively on 60 women aged between 20-45 years and compared with 30 aged matched controls conducted at Dept of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, Army Medical College Rawalpindi and various family planning clinics of Rawalpindi and Wah Cantt. Hormonal users were mostly un-educated and controls were taken from different medical colleges and hospitals. They were educated and some of the controls were also from low socioeconomic group and un-educated. Oral contraceptive users [OC; n=30] and injectable users [IC; n=30]. They were using oral tablet lofenienal and injectables depopfovera for more than 1 year. Controls were not using any form of contraceptives. Fasting blood samples were analyzed for serum total cholesterol, triglycerides, HDL-C and LDL-C and Lp [a]. Lipid parameters were estimated by enzymatic colorimetric method and Lp [a] was analyzed by immunoterbidimetric method. The women using OCP shows significant difference in BMI [p<0.01] as compared to control. Similarly injectable users also showed significant difference in DM1 [p<0.001] as compared to control. SBP shows a significant difference in both groups A and B as compared to control [p<0.05] but DBP was higher in injectable users only [p<0.05] and group A was higher than group C but difference was not significant. The level of HDL-C is decreased significantly [P<0.05] in groups A and B as compared to control. Lipoprctein [a] in both groups A and B showed higher levels than control [p<0.0001]. It is suggested therefore that women using hormonal contraceptives are prone to develop atherosclerosis and coronary artery disease earlier as compared to women not using contraceptives