LIPID PROFILE OF APPARENTLY HEALTHY GERIATRICS IN EKPOMA, EDO STATE, NIGERIA.

*Festus O. O., Adewoye B., Okodua M. A., Eyaufe A. O. and Osagie R. N.

ABSTRACT

Lipids abnormality is one of the major risk factors of coronary artery disease which can be modified either by proper life-style changes or medical management or by both. Study of lipid profile in general population is important in determining certain metabolic disorders and the distribution of different lipid levels in the society. In this study, lipid pattern of geriatrics in Ekpoma, Edo State, Nigeria were assessed on a total of 90 individuals comprising of 60 apparently healthy aged (60 above) as test and 30 apparently young persons of age (20 - 30) as control subjects using standard laboratory procedures (enzymatic methods). Results which are presented as mean ± standard deviation showed significantly higher (P<0.05) plasma total cholesterol (CHL) (4.78±0.97), triglycerides (TG) (1.84±0.49), high density lipoprotein (HDL) (2.06±0.64) and very low density lipoprotein (VLDL) (0.84±0.22) respectively of geriatrics of age 60 and above (test) when compared to those of young persons of age 20 - 30 (control) (3.90±1.10; 1.33±0.52; 1.66±0.74; 0.84±0.22) respectively. There was an insignificant difference (p>0.05) in low density lipoprotein (LDL) in both groups. These findings indicates that age could be one of the factors that affect the lipid profile of apparently healthy geriatrics and could be put into consideration of metabolic conditions associated with lipids.

Keywords: Dyslipidaemia, Coronary heart disease, atherosclerosis, lipid profile, aging, sex.