Utilisation of clinical chemistry tests, with special reference to lipid profile, in disease management in a Nigeria setting.
BACKGROUND
Previous reports show that most Nigerian patients have not been subjected to detailed clinical chemistry investigations, especially lipid profiles during the course of their management.


OBJECTIVE
To evaluate the level of utilisation of clinical chemistry tests, especially lipid profile, in the management of certain selected diseases.


METHODS
Analytical study of clinical chemistry tests done in patients with hypertension, liver diseases, nephrotic syndrome and peripheral neuropathy and in control subjects between January 1995 and December 1996.


METHODS
Department of Chemical Pathology, Nnamdi Azikiwe University Teaching Hospital, Nigeria.


RESULTS
The distribution of the chemical pathology tests in all the disease groups varied significantly. The mean values of TC, LDLC, TG and VLDLC increased while HDLC/TC ratio reduced in the hypertensive patients when compared with the control subjects. The variations in the mean values of HDLC and urea among the hypertensive patients and controls were not statistically significant.


CONCLUSIONS
Our findings suggest an increase in the risk of cardiovascular disease in hypertensive patients and these observations should be remembered by all clinicians and other health workers during the management of hypertension and other diseases. We recommend that the investigations of lipid and lipoprotein indices and other clinical chemistry parameters should be encouraged during management of disease in Nigerians.
Ahaneku
J E
JE
Department of Chemical Pathology, College of Health Sciences, Nnamdi Azikiwe University, Anambra State, Nigeria.
Nwosu
M C
MC
Ahaneku
G I
GI
Okugba
P C
PC
D000328:Adult; D002624:Chemistry, Clinical; D003955:Diagnostic Tests, Routine / Q000706:statistics & numerical data*; D005260:Female; D006785:Hospitals, University; D006801:Humans; D006973:Hypertension / Q000097:blood; D007674:Kidney Diseases / Q000097:blood; D008055:Lipids / Q000097:blood*; D008107:Liver Diseases / Q000097:blood; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D009549:Nigeria; D010523:Peripheral Nervous System Diseases / Q000097:blood
D008055:Lipids