Comparative Abilities of Body Mass Index, Waist Circumference, Abdominal Volume Index, Body Adiposity Index, and Conicity Index as Predictive Screening Tools for Metabolic Syndrome among Apparently Healthy Ghanaian Adults.

The prevalence of the metabolic syndrome (MetS) continues to increase. There is therefore the need for early detection to avert possible adverse outcomes. Several anthropometric methods have been suggested to predict MetS, but no consensus has been reached on which is best. The aim of the study was to explore the comparative abilities of conicity index, body adiposity index, abdominal volume index, body mass index, and waist circumference in predicting cardiometabolic risk among apparently healthy adults in the Tamale metropolis. This study was a cross sectional study conducted from September 2017 to January 2018, among one hundred sixty (160) apparently healthy normoglycemic normotensive adults. A self-designed questionnaire was administered to gather sociodemographic data. Anthropometric and haemodynamic measurements were also taken. Blood samples were collected for fasting blood glucose (FBG) and lipid profile. MetS was classified using the harmonised criteria as indicated by the joint interim statement (JIS). Of 160 participants, 42.5% were male and 57.5% were female. Body mass index (BMI) and waist circumference (WC) associated better with MetS and other cardiovascular risk factors. Generally, BMI and WC showed largest area under curves (AUCs) than abdominal volume index (AVI), body adiposity index (BAI), and conicity index (CI) in predicting MetS and its components. Upon gender stratification, AVI and CI had the larger AUCs in females whiles BMI remained the superior index in males. Whiles BMI and WC remained useful parameters, they were not useful in predicting MetS and its components in the female population in this study.

Comparative Abilities of Fasting Plasma Glucose and Haemoglobin A1c in Predicting Metabolic Syndrome among Apparently Healthy Normoglycemic Ghanaian Adults.

There are arguments as to whether haemoglobin A1c (HbA1c) better predicts Metabolic syndrome (MetS) than fasting plasma glucose. The aim of the study was to explore the comparative abilities of HbA1c and Fasting plasma glucose (FPG) in predicting cardiometabolic risk among apparently healthy adults in the Tamale metropolis. This study was a cross-sectional study conducted in the Tamale metropolis from September, 2017, to January, 2018, among one hundred and sixty (160) apparently healthy normoglycemic adults. A self-designed questionnaire was administered to gather sociodemographic data. Anthropometric and haemodynamic data were also taken and blood samples collected for haemoglobin A1c (HbA1c), fasting plasma glucose (FPG), and lipid profile. MetS was classified using the harmonised criteria as indicated in the joint interim statement (JIS). Out of the 160 participants, 42.5% were males and 57.5% were females. FPG associated better with MetS and other cardiovascular risk markers, compared to HbA1c. FPG had the largest area under curve for predicting MetS and its components. This study shows a stronger association between FPG and MetS compared with haemoglobin A1c; it also provides evidence of a superior ability of FPG over HbA1c in predicting MetS and other adverse cardiovascular outcomes in apparently heathy normoglycemic individuals.

Comparison of esmolol and lidocaine for attenuation of cardiovascular stress response to laryngoscopy and endotracheal intubation in a Ghanaian population.

BACKGROUND: Direct laryngoscopy and endotracheal intubation always trigger powerful cardiovascular responses. Various attempts have been made to attenuate these responses. The aim of this study was to compare the efficacy and safety of esmolol and lidocaine for suppressing cardiovascular response to laryngoscopy and tracheal intubation in a normotensive African population. MATERIALS AND METHODS: A randomized controlled trial was conducted in 120 adult patients of American Society of Anaesthesiologists (ASA) physical status I or II undergoing various elective surgeries. The patients were randomly divided into three groups of 40 patients in each group - C, L, and E. Group - "C" received no drug (control) as placebo, group -"L" received 1.5 mg kg(-1) preservative free lidocaine and group -"E" received 2 mg kg(-1) esmolol IV 2 min before intubation. Mean arterial pressure (MAP) and rate-pressure product (RPP) were measured before induction as baseline and after tracheal intubation at minute 1, 3, and 5. The patients were randomly allocated to receive either saline (Group C), lidocaine 1.5 mg/kg (Group L), or esmolol 2 mg/kg (Group E) (n = 40, each group). After induction of general anesthesia with thiopental 6 mg/kg and vecuronium 0.12 mg/kg, the test solution was infused 2 min before tracheal intubation. Changes in heart rate (HR), systolic blood pressure (SBP), diastolic blood pressure (DBP), mean arterial blood pressure (MAP), and rate-pressure product (RPP) were measured before induction of general anesthesia (baseline), 1, 3, and 5 min after tracheal intubation. Patients were also observed for any complications. RESULTS: There was a significant increase in HR, SBP, DBP, MAP, and RPP from the base line in control group "C" at 1 min with onward decreases at 3 and 5 min respectively after intubation. Percentage change in hemodynamic variables in groups C, L, and E at 1 min are as follows: HR = 30.45, 26.00, and 1.50%; MAP = 20.80, 15.89, and 10.20%; RPP = 61.44, 40.86, and 11.68%, respectively. Only patients receiving placebo had increased HR, MAP, and RPP values after intubation compared with baseline values (P < 0.05). CONCLUSIONS: Prophylactic therapy with 2 mg kg(-1) esmolol is more effective and safe for attenuating cardiovascular responses to laryngoscopy and tracheal intubation in a black population.