BackgroundArterial hypertension and dyslipidemia are modifiable cardiovascular risk factors. The multiplicative effect of these risk factors may worsen the atherogenic index of an individual. The objective of this study was to determine the pattern and prevalence of dyslipidemia in newly presenting Nigerians with arterial hypertension, as well as determine some of its correlates.MethodsThis cross-sectional study compared 115 newly presenting, age- and sex-matched individuals with arterial hypertension with 115 normotensive individuals. Fasting lipids, total cholesterol (TC), triglycerides, high-density lipoprotein cholesterol (HDL-C), low-density lipoprotein cholesterol (LDL-C), and fasting plasma glucose were estimated.ResultsPatients with arterial hypertension had higher body mass index (t=7.64; P=0.000), TC (t=2.95; P=0.006), and HDL-C (t=−5.18; P=0.000). The most common dyslipidemia was low HDL-C, found in both the hypertensive (44.3%) and normotensive (20.9%) patients. The prevalence of dyslipidemia in hypertensives and controls was 64% and 39%, respectively. In hypertensive patients, TC correlated positively to diastolic blood pressure (r=0.218; P=0.0019). Other positive correlates include LDL-C and age (r=0.217; P=0.020) and fasting plasma glucose (r=0.202; P=0.030) and body mass index (r=0.209; P=0.025). Among normotensive controls, TC correlated positively with LDL-C (r=0.63; P=0.000) but correlated negatively with tri glycerides (r=−0.30; P=0.001).ConclusionLipid abnormalities are common in newly presenting Nigerians with arterial hypertension. Screening of these risk factors, promotion of healthy lifestyle, and the institution of therapy is desirable to reduce their multiplicative effects.

Background and Objectives: Hypertension is a global health hazard and most cases are first attended to by the physicians. Achieving a control will depend on the knowledge, attitude and practice of the physicians. We therefore determined the knowledge, attitude and practices of physicians on the detection and treatment of arterial hypertension in north-central Nigeria. Design and Methods: A cross-sectional study of 100 of the 250 physicians attending a continuing medical education lecture series in Bida was conducted using a pre-validated self administered questionnaire. Results: The mean age of the physicians was 41.05 ± 8.71 years and 59 (73.8%) were males. Fortyone (51.2%) of them have practiced for more than 10 years. Arterial hypertension was considered an important health problem by 93.8% of the physicians, 30% of them believed that it should not be referred to a specialist. Majority of the physicians request for urinalysis (96.2%), electrocardiogram (95.0%), fasting blood glucose (88.8%), blood urea nitrogen (98.8%) and fasting lipid profile (97.5%) to either assess target organ damage or associated co-morbid conditions. Fifty-seven (71.2%) of the physicians prescribe diuretics as the initial drug. However, the knowledge of the other drugs on initiation of therapy of mild uncomplicated hypertension was poor. The sources of information on arterial hypertension by physicians were scientific programs (73.8%), drug companies (38.8%) and journals in 11.3%. Conclusion: The knowledge, attitude and practice of physicians in the detection and management of hypertension were modest. Educative programs like continuing medical education, seminars, and conferences on cardiovascular disorders are advised to be organized regularly to strengthen these and update the physicians.

Background and objective Adrenal vein sampling (AVS) is the gold standard test for identifi cation of unilateral primary aldosteronism (PA) which is curable by surgery, but is a diffi cult procedure with low success rates. Rapid cortisol assays during AVS improved AVS success rates. Design and MethodsWe have developed a gold nanoparticles based immunochromatographic quick cortisol assay (QCA) in which cortisol concentration could be measured semi-quantitatively within 6 minutes. We evaluated the usefulness of semi-quantitative QCA at 4 centers: Kanazawa University Hospital and 3 centers with initial low AVS success rates. We randomly assigned 196 PA patients to undergo AVS using semi-quantitative QCA (semi-quantitative QCA group, n ϭ 99) or AVS without QCA (control group, n ϭ 97). ResultsThe total AVS success rate in the semi-quantitative QCA group at 4 centers was 93 of 99(94%), signifi cantly higher than that in control group (56 of 97 (58%). Even at 3 centers with initial low AVS success rates, the AVS success rate in the semi-quantitative QCA group was 44 of 47(94%), signifi cantly higher than that in control group (23 of 47 (49%)). ConclusionsOur new quick cortisol assay was very fast, simple, and easy and was proved to improve the AVS success rates.