Luqman Adeleke Bisiriyu

Relationship of anthropometric indicators with blood pressure levels and the risk of hypertension in Nigerian adults

Background and purpose: Studies on cardiovascular risks in relation to anthropometric factors are limited in Sub-Sahara Africa. The aims of this study were to examine the relationship between anthropometric parameters and blood pressure; and to evaluate body mass index (BMI) across the range of underweight and obesity as a primary risk factor of hypertension in adult Nigerians. Material and methods: 2097 adults aged between 20 and 100 years consented and participated in this door-to-door survey. All participants underwent blood pressure and anthropometric measurements using standard procedures. The population study was separated in normotensive and hypertensive males and females and the possible risk for hypertension were categorized into different classes of value based on BMI definition. Results: The relative risks (odds ratio [OR] and 95% confidence interval [CI]) of developing hypertension among the obese compared with the underweight, normal weight, and overweight persons were (OR 5.75; CI 5.67–5.83), (OR 1.73; CI 1.65–1.81), and (OR 1.54; CI 1.46–1.62) for all the participants, respectively. Among obese (BMI ≥ 30.0 Kg/m2) males, the OR for hypertension was three times (OR 2.78; CI 2.76–2.80) that of normal weight (BMI ≥ 18.5–24.9 Kg/m2) males. Females with obesity had a risk of hypertension three times (OR 3.34; CI 3.33–3.35) that of normal weight females. Conclusion: Our results indicated that the there was a significant positive correlation of obesity indicator with blood pressure. In Nigeria, we found a strong gradient between higher BMI and increased risk of hypertension among all ages. Approaches to reduce the risk of hypertension may include prevention of overweight and obesity.

Prevalence of hypertension in three rural communities of Ife North Local Government Area of Osun State, South West Nigeria.

Background The prevalence of hypertension is increasing rapidly in sub-Saharan Africa, but data are limited on hypertension prevalence. In addition, few population-based studies have been conducted recently in Nigeria on the prevalence and correlates of hypertension in both urban and rural communities. Therefore, we determined the prevalence of hypertension in adults in the three rural communities of Ipetumodu, Edunabon, and Moro, in South West Nigeria. Materials and methods One thousand adults between 15 and 90 years of age were recruited into this cross-sectional study, over a 6-month period, using a multistage proportional stratified random sampling technique. Sociodemographic data and anthropometric variables were obtained, and resting blood pressure (BP) was measured using an electronic sphygmomanometer. Diagnosis of hypertension was based on the JNC VII guidelines, the WHO/ISH 1999 guidelines, and the BP threshold of 160/95 mmHg. Results Four hundred and eighty-six men (48.6%) men and 514 women (51.4%) participated in the study. Their mean age, weight, height, and body mass index were 32.3±14.7 years, 62±13 kg, 1.5±0.1 m, and 23.02 kg/m2, respectively. The prevalence of hypertension, based on the 140/90 mmHg definition, was 26.4% (Male: 27.3%; Female: 25.4%). The prevalence of hypertension, based on the 160/95 mmHg definition, was 11.8% (Male: 13.5%; Female: 10.1%). There were significant positive correlations between BP and some anthropometric indicators of obesity. Conclusion The prevalence of hypertension in the three rural communities was 26.4%, indicating a trend towards increasing prevalence of hypertension. There was also a significant positive correlation between anthropometric indicators of obesity and BP in this population.

Prevalence and pattern of overweight and obesity in three rural communities in southwest Nigeria

Background Limited data exist on the prevalence of overweight and obesity in the Nigerian adult rural population. This study therefore assessed the prevalence and pattern of overweight and obesity in adults in three rural communities of the Ife North Local Government Area, Nigeria. Materials and methods A total of 777 adults between 20 and 90 years of age were recruited into this cross-sectional study, which was performed over a 6-month period using a multistage proportional stratified random sampling technique. Sociodemographic data and anthropometric variables were obtained. Results A total of 385 (49.5%) men and 395 (50.5%) women participated in the study. The mean age and body mass index of the participants were 36.3±14.3 years and 23.53±4.6 kg/m2, respectively. The overall crude prevalence of overweight and obesity in the total population were 20.8% and 8.4%, respectively. Obesity increased across the age gradient, peaking in the 51- to 60-year age-group in men and women. Among the overweight and obese subjects (n=227), 70.9% of them were overweight and the remaining 29.1% were obese, with class I obesity accounting for 20.7% of these overweight and obese subjects. Conclusion The prevalence of overweight and obesity in these communities was 20.8% and 8.4% respectively, indicating a trend towards increased prevalence. Class I obesity is the most common obesity pattern, and obesity increased across the age gradient, peaking in the 51- to 60-year age-group. There is a need for regular community education on healthy lifestyles, and regular health screening to control the rising prevalence of overweight and obesity, as well as to prevent or reduce the risk of obesity comorbidities in these communities.

Two dimensional and Doppler echocardiographic evaluation of patients presenting at Obafemi Awolowo University Teaching Hospitals Complex Ile Ife Nigeria a prospective study of 2501 subjects

Background Echocardiography remains a key noninvasive cardiac investigative tool in the management of patients, especially in a developing economy like Nigeria. In this study, we investigated the indications for transthoracic echocardiography and spectrum of cardiac disease found in patients referred to our cardiac unit for echocardiography. Methods A prospective two-dimensional, pulsed, continuous, and color-flow Doppler echocardiographic evaluation was done using the transthoracic approach in 2501 patients over an eight-year period. Univariate data analysis was performed for mean age, gender, clinical indications, and diagnoses. Results The subject age range was less than 12 months to 97 years (mean 52.39 years). There were 1352 (54.06%) males and 1149 (45.94%) females. The most common indication for echocardiography was hypertension (52.1%) followed by congestive cardiac failure (13.9%). Others were for screening (6.1%), arrhythmias (5%), cerebrovascular disease (5%), chest pain (3.3%), chronic kidney disease (3.2%), congenital heart disease (2.6%), cardiomyopathy (1.8%), rheumatic heart disease (1.7%), diabetes mellitus (1.3%), thyrocardiac disease (1.2%), ischemic heart disease (1.2%), and pericardial disease (1.1%). The echocardiographic diagnosis was hypertensive heart disease in 59.4% of subjects and normal in 14.1%. Other echocardiographic diagnoses included rheumatic heart disease (3.1%), congenital heart disease (2.1%), cardiomyopathy (1.7%), pericardial disease (1.1%), and ischemic heart disease (0.1%). Conclusion Hypertension and its cardiac complications is the most common echocardiographic indication and diagnosis at our unit.

Echocardiographic Assessment of Left Ventricular Geometric Patterns in Hypertensive Patients in Nigeria

Left ventricular (LV) hypertrophy is an important predictor of morbidity and mortality in hypertensive patients, and its geometric pattern is a useful determinant of severity and prognosis of heart disease. Studies on LV geometric pattern involving large number of Nigerian hypertensive patients are limited. We examined the LV geometric pattern in hypertensive patients seen in our echocardiographic laboratory. A two-dimensional, pulsed, continuous and color flow Doppler echocardiographic evaluation of 1020 consecutive hypertensive patients aged between 18 and 91 years was conducted over an 8-year period. LV geometric patterns were determined using the relationship between the relative wall thickness and LV mass index. Four patterns of LV geometry were found: 237 (23.2%) patients had concentric hypertrophy, 109 (10.7%) had eccentric hypertrophy, 488 (47.8%) had concentric remodeling, and 186 (18.2%) had normal geometry. Patients with concentric hypertrophy were significantly older in age, and had significantly higher systolic blood pressure (BP), diastolic BP, and pulse pressure than those with normal geometry. Systolic function index in patients with eccentric hypertrophy was significantly lower than in other geometric patterns. Doppler echocardiographic parameters showed some diastolic dysfunction in hypertensive patients with abnormal LV geometry. Concentric remodeling was the most common LV geometric pattern observed in our hypertensive patients, followed by concentric hypertrophy and eccentric hypertrophy. Patients with concentric hypertrophy were older than those with other geometric patterns. LV systolic function was significantly lower in patients with eccentric hypertrophy and some degree of diastolic dysfunction were present in patients with abnormal LV geometry.

Evaluation of the indications and arrhythmic patterns of 24 hour Holter electrocardiography among hypertensive and diabetic patients seen at OAUTHC, Ile-Ife Nigeria

Background There are very limited published studies in Nigeria on the use of 24 hour Holter electrocardiogram (Holter ECG) in the arrhythmic evaluation of hypertensive and diabetic patients. Objective To evaluate indications, arrhythmic pattern of Holter ECG, and heart rate variability (HRV) among patients with hypertensive heart disease (HHD) with or without heart failure and type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM) seen in our cardiac care unit. Methods Seventy-nine patients (32 males and 47 females) were studied consecutively over a year using Schiller type (MT-101) Holter ECG machine. Results Out of the 79 patients, 17 (21.5%) had HHD without heart failure, 33 (41.8%) had HHD with hypertensive heart failure (HHF), while 29 (36.7%) were T2DM patients. The mean (standard deviation) ages of HHD without heart failure, HHF and T2DM patients were 59.65 (±14.38), 65.15 (±14.30), and 54.66 (±8.88) respectively. The commonest indication for Holter ECG was palpitation (38%), followed by syncope (20.3%). Premature ventricular contraction was the commonest arrhythmic pattern among the 79 patients, especially among HHF patients. The HRV using standard deviation of all normal-normal intervals was significantly reduced in T2DM patients (81.03±26.33, confidence interval [CI] =71.02–91.05) compared to the HHD without heart failure (119.65±29.86, CI =104.30–135.00) and HHF (107.03±62.50, CI =84.00–129.19). There was a negative correlation between the duration of T2DM and HRV (r=−0.613). Conclusion Palpitation was the commonest Holter ECG indication and premature ventricular contractions were the commonest arrhythmic pattern among our patients. HRV was reduced in T2DM patients compared with hypertensive patients.

Reference Values for Chest Expansion among Adult Residents in Ile-Ife

Background: Chest excursion measurements are used to evaluate a patients baseline status, treatment effectiveness, and progression of disease with regards to chest wall mobility and respiratory muscle function. Purpose: Therefore, this study was designed to assess chest expansion of healthy adults resident in Ile-Ife, Nigeria. Methods: Four hundred and twenty-eight (200 males, 228 females) volunteers were recruited for the study. Their age ranged between 20 and 70 years. Data was obtained by measuring chest expansion of both upper and lower thoracic excursion using an inelastic tape with measurement taken twice and the average being recorded. Measurements were taken at the height of maximal inspiration and expiration. For the upper thoracic excursion, the tape measure was placed at the level of the fifth thoracic spinous process and the third intercostal space at the mid-clavicular line and for the lower thoracic excursion, the tape measure was placed at the level of the 10th thoracic spinous process and the tip of the xiphoid process. The difference of the two measurements was recorded as chest excursion. Results: Results showed that male participants have significant higher chest expansion than female participants in upper thoracic (2.6+1.4cm, 2.2+1.2cm) for male and female respectively and at lower thoracic (2.3+1.2cm, 1.7+1.1cm) (p< 0.05) for male and female respectively. Chest expansion of male and female participants at both upper and lower thoracic peak at age 20-29 and decreases thereafter with increasing age. The result showed that chest expansion was negatively correlated with age in male (r= -0.370; p

Joint predictability of physical activity and body weight status on health-related quality of life of patients with hypertension

This study investigated the predictability of physical activity (PA) and body weight status (BWS) on health-related quality of life (HRQoL) of patients with hypertension. A cross-sectional study involved 250 patients with hypertension (≥140/90≤179/109 mmHg) selected from government hospitals in Osun State, Nigeria. Purposive sampling technique was used to select participants. Socio-demographic characteristics and cardiovascular parameters were recorded. PA and HRQoL were assessed using the International Physical Activity Questionnaire and Short Form health survey questionnaire respectively. Sufficient PA equals ≥150 min/wk while BWS was defined using body mass index classification. Data were analyzed using descriptive and inferential statistics. Alpha level was set at P<0.05. Of all participants, 63.6% reported sufficient PA and 78.4% was either overweight or obese. The HRQoL of participants become poorer in all domains with higher body weight. The HRQoL including role limitation due to physical health (RLdPhp) and emotional problems (RLdEmp) had worst scores. Participants in the categories of normal and overweight/obese with sufficient PA demonstrated higher (better) HRQoL in all domains than those with insufficient PA (P<0.05). When adjusted for body weight, significant differences were found in all domains of HRQoL except in RLdPhp, RldEmp, and bodily pain (P>0.05). There were significant correlations between PA and all domains of HRQoL except in RldEmp, emotional well-being and bodily pain (P>0.05). Regression models established PA as a significant predictor of HRQoL. Sufficient PA is a better predictor of HRQoL among patients with hypertension irrespective of BWS. Regular PA is recommended for improving HRQoL among patients with hypertension.

Determinants of Concordance and Discordance Reporting of Contraceptive Use among Couples in Nigeria: Evidence from NDHS

Sexual behavior and contraceptive use dynamics within marital union presents a very complex and dyad interpretations. Among the complexities is the possibility of couples’ sexual fidelity to each other, infidelity of either of the partners or both partners. Secondly, are the couples’ approaches to other marital derivatives including fertility and contraceptive use. The analysis examined the determinants of concordance and discordance reporting of contraceptive use among couples in Nigeria with a view to understanding factors in concordance and discordance reporting of contraceptive use. The analysis utilized the 2008 NDHS couples recode dataset. The data were analyzed using Kappa Statistics and multinomial logistic regression. The results showed that age, education, wealth index, residence, fertility desire and fertility preference were significant factors predicting concordance reporting of contraceptive use (P<0.05) while work status, wealth status and fertility preference were significant factors predicting discordance reporting of contraceptive use (P<0.05). The analysis concluded that couples concordance reporting of contraceptive use is important in fertility control and in addressing the scourge of HIV/AIDS and other STIs in Nigeria.