Prevalence of obesity and dyslipidaemia in hypertensives seen in Abuja, Nigeria.

This is a report of observations on a hospital-based study over the prevalence of obesity and dyslipidaemia seen in hypertensives attending our hypertension clinic. 409 patients were screened and 315 (77%) found hypertensive (BP>140/70 mmHg): 71.6% of 109 women screened (mean systolic 165 mmHg) were obese (BMI>30) as against 50.5% of 184 men (mean systolic 161 mmHg). Total cholesterol (TC) concentration was higher in women (mean, 5.28 mmol/L) [4.9-5.8 mmol/L] than in men (mean, 5.1 mmol/L) [5,0-5.4 mmol/L] but the mean atherogenic index (TC/HDL-cholesterol) was higher in men (4.8) than in women (4.1) (normal <4.5). The aim of this study is to sensitise our relevant clinicians to look for obesity and dyslipidaemia coexisting with hypertension, treat such cases aggressively to avoid coronary event and progressive renal disease. This study is to be extended to other geopolitical zones in Nigeria through the coordination of Nigerian Association of Clinical Chemists (NACC).