Evaluation of Serum Levels of Lipoprotein-A and Uric Acid and Their Correlation in Hypertensive Patients in Delta State, Nigeria

Abstract

Lipoprotein (a) is an independent risk factor for cardiovascular disease. Also, elevated serum uric acid concentration is linked with an increased risk of cardiovascular disease. Therefore, the objective of this paper was to evaluate the serum levels of Lp (a) and uric acid and their correlation in hypertensive patients in Delta State, Nigeria. The study was conducted among 200 hypertensive and 100 normotensive individuals in a hospital-based cross-sectional investigation. Data obtained showed that one hundred and fifteen (57.5%) hypertensive and 15 (15%) normotensive controls had elevated plasma concentration of Lp (a). The lipoprotein (a) levels in the hypertensive had a mean of 32.8 ± 16.6 mg/dl. The controls had a mean of 16.9 ± 13.9 mg/dl. The difference in mean Lp (a) levels was statistically significant (p <0.001).Uric acid level in the hypertensive had a mean of 4.1 ± 1.8 mg/dL. In the controls, the mean value was 2.7 ± 1.2 mg/dL. The difference in mean was statistically significant (p < 0.001). Forty-two (21.0%) of the hypertensive compared to 5 (5.0%) of the controls had hyperuricaemia (p = 0.005). Among the hypertensive, Lp (a) was positively associated with uric acid (r = 0.238, p = 0.009). Lp (a) and uric acid levels in hypertensive patients were significantly higher than in the controls. Among the hypertensive population, Lp (a) was positively associated with uric acid. Thus, routine screening of hypertensive patients for Lp (a) can be used to demonstrate the presence of cardiovascular risk.