"Lipid Profile and Atherogenic Index in Hypertensives and Non-Hypertensives in a Rural Sub-Saharan Population: Case of Ferlo Senegal"

Abstract

The plasma atherogenic index (AIP) constitutes a new marker to assess the risk of atherogenicity and cardiometabolic health. The AIP is a predictor of cardiovascular disease, particularly arterial hypertension, and stroke. The aim of this study was to evaluate the lipid profile and to determine the role of AI in the occurrence of stroke in a nomadic population in Sub-Saharan Africa (SSA) rural area.Methods: It is a descriptive and analytical transversal study on 160 adults' subjects including 80 hypertensive living in Widou Thiengoli, situated in Ferlo, a rural area in northern of Senegal. A survey on the sociodemographic characteristics of the population was carried out using a questionnaire before carrying out anthropometric measurements (weight, waist circumference and height), cardiovascular (systolic and diastolic blood pressure) and biochemical (total cholesterol, HDL cholesterol and triglycerides).Results: the comparison of the 2 groups showed that the risk of developing hypertension and stroke increased with age. Moreover HDL-cholesterol levels were much lower in hypertensive than controls. In addition, in the hypertensive group, a correlation between systolic mean arterial pressure and HDL cholesterol was found [r = 0.22 (p = 0.0488)]. Moreover, it's found that the AI is significatively higher in stroke patients and in hypertensive than in non-hypertensive subjects (p < 0.0001). Conclusion:These results showed an abnormality in blood HDL cholesterol level in the study population and suggest that AI could play an important role in the occurrence and pathophysiology of stroke in SSA population.