Serum Concentration of Fasting Blood Sugar, Total Cholesterol, Low-Density Lipoprotein, High-Density Lipoprotein and Triglyceride in Patients on Highly Active Antiretroviral Therapy Attending Embu Prison Dispensary

Abstract

Background: Metabolic syndrome (MS) is a combination of interrelated risk factors of metabolic origin. The components include increased insulin resistance, obesity, dyslipidemia and hypertension. The prevalence of MS among HIV –infected patients globally ranges from 17.0% to 45.4%, with most reports produced in developed nations. The diagnosis of MS using the International Diabetes Federation shows a rise in triglycerides greater than 1.7m Mol/l, elevated fasting blood sugar greater than 5.6mMol/l and reduced HDL cholesterol less than 1.03mMol/l. The objective of the study was to determine the serum concentration of fasting blood sugar, TC, LDL-C, HDL-C and triglyceride, among inmates on Highly Active Antiretroviral Therapy (HAART) in a Kenyan prison. MATRIALS AND

Methods: The study design was a hospital-based cross-sectional study of patients on HAART for at least six months. It was conducted in Embu G.K. Prison CCC clinic and Biochemistry Laboratory of Embu Teaching and Referral Hospital. A sample of 217 inmates attending Embu GK Prison Dispensary CCC clinic and on HAART for at least six months, participated in the study. Before the Laboratory analysis, the recruitment of the patients was done and they were required to fast overnight. A fasting sample was collected for the estimation of blood glucose and lipid profile.

Results: Among the sampled, 13.4% (n=29) showed hypertension, 10.6% (n=23) had low HDL, 17.1% (n=37) had hypertriglyceridemia, 22.1% (n=48) showed high fasting blood sugar, and 25.4% (n=55) indicated central obesity. The most frequent component observed was central obesity (25.4%) and the lowest was hypertension (10.6%). Regarding the distribution of the risk factors against gender; of those indicated with low HDL 15 (65.2%) were female and 8 (34.8%) were male. Of those who showed hypertriglyceridemia 17 (45.9%) were female and 20 (54.1%) were male. Those who showed high fasting blood sugar were female 19 (39.6%) while 29 (60.4%) were male. Of those who showed hypertension 7 (24.1%) were female while 22 (75.9%) were male, and of those indicated central obesity 33 (60.0%) were female while 22 (40.0%) were male.

Conclusion: The prevalence of metabolic syndrome among inmates on HAART was 14.3%.

Recommandation: These findings prompt further studies to be conducted to evaluate the prevalence of MS among inmates in other prison facilities in the country.