Behavioural and anthropometric risk factors for diabetes mellitus among newly admitted undergraduates in a Nigerian University.

BACKGROUND: Type 2 diabetes mellitus (DM) is fast becoming a global epidemic, and its prevalence is increasing in children and young adults. The aim of the study was to identify young adults who had type 2 DM or impaired fasting glucose as well as those at risk of these conditions using anthropometric data and behavioral pattern. METHODOLOGY: Two hundred and twenty newly admitted undergraduates who were randomly selected during the registration process were involved in the study. Anthropometric parameters were measured while information on demographic details, medical history, and family history were obtained using a standard questionnaire. Fasting blood glucose was measured using the glucose oxidase method. RESULTS: Two hundred and seven (94%) participants had serum glucose within reference range, 10 (4.6%) had impaired fasting glucose, and 3 (1.4%) had serum glucose> 7.1 mmol/L, which is indicative of DM. A large number (91.4%) of individuals engaged in physical activity equivalent to a walk of at least 30 min/day. Most of them (93.2%) had body mass index <25.0 while 6.8% were overweight. One hundred and three participants (46.8%) indicated that they eat 3 or more servings of whole grain per day. CONCLUSION: Most of the participants are involved in healthy lifestyle. This has resulted in very low prevalence of impaired fasting glucose and type 2 DM among the group. It will be useful to follow up the group and note if they are able to maintain this trend since the risk of developing DM is known to increase with age.

Lipid profile in an apparently healthy Nigerian population.

AIMS AND OBJECTIVES: To describe the pattern of lipid profile of members of staff of a tertiary education institution in South-West Nigeria with a view to assessing risk of cardiovascular disease among them. MATERIALS AND METHODS: One hundred and ninety three (193) members of staff of the Institution were involved in the study. Questionnaires were administered to obtain information on demographic characteristics and medical history of respondents. Weight, height and blood pressure of participants were measured and the Body Mass Index (BMI) calculated. Fasting plasma lipid profile parameters--Total cholesterol (TC), High Density Lipoprotein cholesterol (HDL-C) , Low Density Lipoprotein cholesterol (LDL-C) and Triglycerides (TG)) were also determined in all the participants using standard assay methods. RESULTS: Mean TC, HDL-C, LDL-C and TG were 4.04 mmol/L, 1.63 mmol/L, 1.98 mmol/L and 0.92 mmol/L respectively . Mean BMI was 25.98 kg/m2. Twenty-eight (14.5%) participants had mean cholesterol values e" 5.2 mM/L, 19 men had HDL values<1.0 mM/L and 28 women had HDL values<1.3 mM/L (making a total of 24.3% of the study population). Twenty (10.4%) had LDL cholesterol e"3.3 mM/L, while 14 (7.3 %) had triglyceride valuese" 1.7 mM/L. One hundred and thirty one (67.8%) participants had values of all lipid parameters within reference range while 62 (32.8%) had abnormality in 1 or more of the parameters. Sixty two participants (32.1%) were overweight while 45 (23.3%) were obese. Statistically significant differences were found when TG and BMI levels of male participants were compared with those of their female counterparts. Abnormalities in lipid profile parameters were found mostly in participants who were 40 years and above. Age of participants correlated positively with total cholesterol and LDL cholesterol levels while LDL-C levels correlated negatively with HDL levels. CONCLUSION: A significant proportion of the population had abnormality in one or more Lipid profile parameters, the most common being low HDL cholesterol levels. A considerable number of participants were also either overweight or obese. Most of the abnormalities in lipid profile were found in participants e" 40 years. The study underscores a need to sensitise members of the community to regular lipid profile check up .

The Metabolic Syndrome in an Elite African Community

Metabolic syndrome is a combination of metabolic disorders which increase the risk of developing cardiovascular disease and type 2 diabetes; two common causes of morbidity and mortality all over the world; with increasing incidence in sub-Saharan Africa. This study was carried out to determine the prevalence of metabolic syndrome in an elite Nigerian community and determine independent predictors of the condition. A cross-sectional study was designed involving 200 members of the community. They responded to a structured questionnaire on their demographic parameters as well as medical and drug histories. Fasting blood glucose; triglycerides; LDL-cholesterol; HDL-cholesterol and Total cholesterol were measured. Blood pressure; BMI and waist circumference were also measured. Using the IDF definition i.e presence of central adiposity and two of raised TG (?1.7 mm/L); reduced HDL (1.03 mm/L in men and 1.29 mm/L in women); raised blood pressure (130 mmHg systolic or 85 mmHg diastolic; or an antihypertensive drugs); and raised fasting blood glucose (5.6mm/L or previously diagnosed type 2 diabetes); a total of 35 persons were found to have metabolic syndrome. The commonest lipid abnormality found was reduced HDL levels. Raised BMI was a strong predictor (18). The study shows that while the prevalence of metabolic syndrome is low in the community; a large number of people have central obesity and high BMI. It is important for stakeholders to create awareness on the need to keep fit. There is also a need to carry out more studies on independent determinants of metabolic syndrome and seek to understand the pathways by which it develops; so as to be able to address it's far reaching implications

Exposure of petrol station attendants and auto mechanics to premium motor sprit fumes in Calabar, Nigeria.

A population-based-cross-sectional survey was carried out to investigate the potential risk of exposure to premium motor spirit (PMS) fumes in Calabar, Nigeria, among Automobile Mechanics (AM), Petrol Station Attendants (PSA) and the general population. Structured questionnaire was administered on the randomly chosen subjects to elicit information on their exposure to PMS. Duration of exposure was taken as the length of work in their various occupations. Venous blood was taken for methaemoglobin (MetHb) and packed cells volume (PCV). Mean MetHb value was higher in AM (7.3%) and PSA (5.8%) than in the subjects from the general population (2.7%). PCV was lower in PSA (30.8%), than AM (33.3%) and the subjects from the general population (40.8%). MetHb level was directly proportional, and PCV inversely related, to the duration of exposure. The study suggested increased exposure to petrol fumes among AM, PSA, and MetHb as a useful biomarker in determining the level of exposure to benzene in petrol vapour.