Dyslipidemia among newly diagnosed hypertensives: pattern and clinical correlates

Hypertension and dyslipidemia are closely interrelated. We aim to determine the prevalence of dyslipidemia among newly diagnosed Nigerian hypertensive subjects and its associated clinical correlates.

This was a cross-sectional study done at the Ladoke Akintola University of Technology (LAUTECH) Teaching Hospital, Osogbo, southwest Nigeria. One hundred sixty-three newly diagnosed hypertensive subjects and 88 controls were recruited and formed the study groups. Relevant history, examinations, and laboratory investigations were performed. Lipid parameters and atherogenic indices were determined. SPSS 16.0 was used for statistical analysis.

Hypertensive subjects and controls were well matched in age and gender distribution. Dyslipidemia was more common among the hypertensive subjects. Ninety-six (58.9%) newly diagnosed hypertensive subjects had at least 1 impaired lipid profile. Sixty-seven (41.1%) of them had isolated dyslipidemia, while 29 (17.8%) had combined dyslipidemia. Common patterns of dyslipidemia include low high-density lipoprotein cholesterol (HDL-C), 78 (47.9%); high atherogenic index (total cholesterol/HDL-C), 40 (24.5%) and elevated low-density lipoprotein cholesterol (LDL-C) in 38 (23.3%) subjects. Fasting blood glucose increased as the severity of dyslipidemia increased.

A significant proportion of newly diagnosed hypertensive subjects have dyslipidemia. Low HDL-C was the most common type of dyslipidemia in this study. The use of statins and other supportive therapy is therefore justified among newly diagnosed Nigerian hypertensive subjects with isolated or combined dyslipidemia.