Assessment of Lipid Profile Levels among Older Adults in Nnewi
Published: 2023-05-19
Page: 132-141
Issue: 2023 - Volume 6 [Issue 1]
Chukwuemeka Emmanuel Ogbodo
*
Department of Medical Laboratory Science, Faculty of Health Sciences and Technology, Nnamdi Azikiwe University, Awka, Nigeria.
Ejike Christian Onah
Department of Medical Laboratory Science, Faculty of Health Sciences and Technology, Nnamdi Azikiwe University, Awka, Nigeria.
Chukwuemeka Samuel Meludu
Department of Human Biochemistry, Faculty of Basic Medical Sciences, Nnamdi Azikiwe University, Awka, Nigeria.
Chekwube MaryAnn Ogbodo
Department of Nursing Services, Chukwuemeka Odumegwu Ojukwu University Teaching Hospital, Amaku, Awka, Nigeria.
Ifeoma Priscilla Ezeugwunne
Department of Human Biochemistry, Faculty of Basic Medical Sciences, Nnamdi Azikiwe University, Awka, Nigeria.
Friday Alfred Ehiaghe
Department of Medical Laboratory Science, Faculty of Health Sciences and Technology, Nnamdi Azikiwe University, Awka, Nigeria.
*Author to whom correspondence should be addressed.
Abstract
Background/ Objective of Study: Cardiovascular diseases continue to be the main cause of morbidity and mortality. Aging is an important modifier of cardiovascular health.
Materials and Methods: This cross-sectional study evaluated the lipid profile levels of older adults in Nnewi, Nigeria. In total, 128 subjects were enlisted for the study using simple random sampling. They were divided into two equal groups: older people (n=64) and control groups (n=64). The older adults consist of 32 males and 32 females, between the ages of 45 and 75 years who gave written informed consent. The control group consists of 64 students, 32 males and 32 females, between the ages of 18 and 30 years. Five milliliters of fasting venous blood sample was collected from each participant, and dispensed into a plain container for analysis of the lipid profile levels. Total cholesterol (TC), triglyceride (TG), and high density lipoprotein cholesterol (HDL-C) were determined using enzymatic colorimetric methods while low density lipoprotein cholesterol (LDL-C) was calculated as: LDL-C = (Total Cholesterol) − (HDL-C) − (TGs/5).
Results: Results showed that the older persons had mean serum levels of TC (4.65±0.66 Vs 3.90±0.60), TG (1.52±0.44 Vs 1.08±0.26), and LDL-C (2.79±0.62 Vs 2.06±0.59) that were significantly higher than those of the control group, but HDL-C (1.16±0.08 Vs 1.34±0.09) level was significantly lower (P-value= 0.000) respectively. Additionally, older male and female adults had significantly higher mean serum levels of TC, TG, and LDL-C, but significantly lower HDL-C compared to the male and female control groups (P-value= 0.000) respectively. TC and age (r=0.312; P-value= 0.012), LDL-C and age (r=0.302; P-value= 0.015), and LDL-C and TC (r=0.968; P-value= 0.015) all showed statistically significant positive relationships in the control group.
Also, there was a significant positive correlation between age and TG (r=0.260; P-value= 0.038), TC and TG(r=0.375; P-value= 0.002), and TC and LDL-C (r=0.940; P-value= 0.000) in the older individuals.
Conclusion: Ageing may, thus, have a deleterious impact on lipid profile.
Keywords: Older adults, aging, cardiovascular health, lipid profile