Year: 2025 | Month: November | Volume: 15 | Issue: 11 | Pages: 203-211
DOI: https://doi.org/10.52403/ijhsr.20251125
Pattern of Dyslipidaemia and Obesity among Diabetic Patients Attending a Specialist Care Facility in South-Eastern Nigeria: A Five-Year Review
Afamefuna Charles Ejikeme1, Victoria Victor Okon1, Gabriel Chidera Edeh2, Chizoba Jessica Diogu1, Chidimma Judith Anyaeche3, Francis Chibuike Anigwe1, Agozie Valentine Nworah4, Ifedilichukwu Christian Ibeachusi1, Chinonuju Franklin Chiekezie1, Timothy Ugochukwu Igwe1
1Department of Medicine, Faculty of Medicine and Surgery, Nnamdi Azikiwe University, Awka, Anambra State, Nigeria.
2Department of Haematology and Blood Transfusion, Babcock University Teaching Hospital, Ilishan-Remo, Ogun State, Nigeria.
3Department of Medicine, Faculty of Medicine, Chukwuemeka Odumegwu Ojukwu University, Uli, Anambra State, Nigeria.
4Department of Pathophysiology, St. George’s University, West Indies, Grenada.
Corresponding Author: Gabriel Chidera Edeh
ABSTRACT
Background: Diabetes mellitus is frequently associated with dyslipidaemia and obesity, key metabolic abnormalities that heighten cardiovascular risk. Understanding their patterns among diabetic patients is critical for targeted interventions. This study therefore set out to determine the prevalence and pattern of dyslipidaemia and obesity among diabetic patients attending a specialist care facility in South-Eastern Nigeria over a 5-year period.
Methods: This retrospective cross-sectional study reviewed 215 medical records of diabetic patients who attended Specialist Care facility in Nnewi, South-Eastern Nigeria between April 2018 and March 2023. Data on lipid profile and body mass index (BMI) were extracted and analyzed using SPSS version 25. Descriptive and inferential statistics were applied, with p ≤ 0.05 considered significant.
Results: Of the 215 patients (mean age = 58.9 ± 13.7 years; 52.6% male), 69.8% had dyslipidaemia and 31.6% were obese. The most prevalent lipid abnormality was low HDL-C (87%), followed by high LDL-C (70.2%), high triglyceride (55.8%), and high total cholesterol (53%). Overweight (43.3%) was also common. No significant associations were found between age, gender, or marital status and the presence of dyslipidaemia or obesity (p>0.05).
Conclusion: A high burden of dyslipidaemia and obesity exists among diabetic patients in this setting, with low HDL-C being the most common lipid abnormality. Routine lipid monitoring and lifestyle-based interventions are recommended to reduce cardiovascular risk in diabetic populations.
Key words: Diabetes mellitus, Dyslipidaemia, Obesity, Cardiovascular risk, Nigeria