Aim: To assess the prevalent components of metabolic syndrome (MSC) and their
related determinants of lipid metabolism in the Nigerian for early diagnosis, prevention
Original Research Article
International Journal of TROPICAL DISEASE & Health, 4(7): 740-752, 2014
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and management of the metabolic syndrome (MS) and its associated diseases.
Study Design: Cohort study.
Place and Duration of Study: Department of Chemical Pathology, College of Medicine,
University of Ibadan, Ibadan between March and August 2010.
Methodology: 534 apparently healthy Nigerian traders aged 18–105 years were
participants of a cohort study. The IDF (2005) criteria was used for MS diagnosis.
Anthropometric indices and blood pressure (BP) were obtained by standard methods.
Fasting plasma glucose, total cholesterol (TC), triglycerides (TG) and high density
lipoprotein cholesterol (HDLC) were determined by enzymatic methods while low density
lipoprotein cholesterol (LDLC) was calculated. Data analysed were statistically significant
at P<0.05.
Results: 60.1% of traders had 2 and 3MSC. 0.6%, 1.1% and 9.6% of traders had all
5MSC, ?3MSC without elevated waist circumference (WC) and zero MSC respectively.
Elevated WC, reduced HDLC and high BP were more frequent MSC representing 70.2%,
63.1% and 47.9% while FPG and TG were less frequent representing 11.2% and 2.2% of
traders respectively. This pattern was similar in MS and non-MS groups. 25.3% of males
and only 2.2% of females had no MSC. Reduced HDLC and elevated WC were the most
frequent MSC in males and females respectively. All metabolic risk factors (MRF) except
TC were significantly different in comparison between MS and non-MS groups as well as
among traders with 0-5 MSC. WHR was the only parameter that correlated significantly
with all MRF.
Conclusion: Elevated waist circumference, reduced high density lipoprotein cholesterol,
and high blood pressure may be prevalent metabolic syndrome components and
important in managing metabolic syndrome in Nigeria. Regional specific cut-offs for these
components for the African population is needed.