Relationship between ABO Blood Groups and Lipid Profile Level in Healthy Adult Residents in Port Harcourt Metropolis, Nigeria

Abstract

A multitude of risk factors are responsible for development of cardiovascular diseases (CVDs) and association of cardiovascular disease risk factors with the ABO blood antigens is increasingly being reported. Thus, this study was designed to investigate the relationship between ABO blood groups and lipoprotein profiles of apparently 150 healthy adult patients attending Braithwaite Memorial Specialist Hospital, Port Harcourt, Nigeria following due consent to participate in the study. The serum TC, HDL-C, LDL-C and VLDL-C levels were determined by standard methods. ABO blood grouping was carried out by standard tile technique. Results show that the mean of the TC and LDL-C of most of the subjects in all the blood groups appeared desirable (< 5.81 mmol/L and < 3.37 mmol/L) respectively in both males and females. HDL-C was deficient in all blood groups both in males and females while the triglycerides level in the subjects was desirable (< 2.83 mmol/L). While significant variation (p<0.05) was observed between the means of the blood groups in the females, no such variation was seen the males. Strong positive correlations were observed between the lipoproteins in blood group B, AB and O females. As a result of the fact the rate of prevalence of CVD in our population is increasing, it is recommended that diagnosis, management and treatment of CVD in Nigeria should take into consideration the blood group status of the subjects.

Key Words: Lipoproteins, Blood groups, cardiovascular diseases, triglycerides