title: Metabolic syndrome and occupation: Any association? Prevalence among auto technicians and school teachers in South West Nigeria.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  To determine occupational association with metabolic syndrome among auto technicians and school teachers.
  
  
  METHODS
  One hundred and sixty six subjects were selected for this study. Clinical data was obtained while laboratory investigations including plasma glucose and lipid profile were performed. Statistical analysis was done with SPSS 20.0. P<0.05 was taken as statistically significant.
  
  
  RESULTS
  School teachers had significantly higher mean total cholesterol and LDL-cholesterol compared to auto technicians. Mean serum triglycerides was significantly higher among auto-technicians compared to school teachers in this study. The prevalence of some conventional cardiovascular risk factors was significantly higher among auto-technicians compared to school teachers: Impaired blood glucose (9.6% vs. 1.2%, p<0.05), hypertriglyceridaemia (18.1% vs. 7.2%, p<0.05) and low HDL-Cholesterol (47.0% vs. 37.3%, p<0.05) respectively. However elevated LDL-cholesterol (56.6% vs. 32.5%, p<0.05) was significantly more common among school teachers compared to auto-technicians. Based on the WHO and the Harmonized criteria, metabolic syndrome was more frequent among auto-technicians compared to school teachers. (8.4% vs. 1.2% and 19.3% vs. 7.2% respectively, p<0.05) CONCLUSION: The prevalence of metabolic syndrome appears to be significantly higher among auto technicians despite their high level of physical activity, exertion and education compared to teachers. This may be related to the increased occupational exposure to organic and inorganic materials from dust particles, oil and oil related matter and particulate matter among auto technicians. Prompt definitive evaluation of this concept and appropriate health education to encourage safety mechanism can reduce this burden of metabolic syndrome among auto technicians in Nigeria.
authors.affiliation: Cardiology Unit, Department of Medicine, Ladoke Akintola University of Technology Teaching Hospital, P.O. BOX 3238 Ogbomoso, Nigeria. Electronic address: iakintunde2@yahoo.com.
authors.forename: Adeseye A
authors.initials: AA
authors.lastname: Akintunde
authors.affiliation: Chemical Pathology Department, Ladoke Akintola University of Technology Teaching Hospital, Ogbomoso, Nigeria.
authors.forename: Taiwo W
authors.initials: TW
authors.lastname: Oloyede
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D001336:Automobiles; D003430:Cross-Sectional Studies; D005260:Female; D005500:Follow-Up Studies; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D019563:Mechanics; D024821:Metabolic Syndrome / Q000453:epidemiology* / Q000209:etiology; D008875:Middle Aged; D009549:Nigeria / Q000453:epidemiology; D016273:Occupational Exposure / Q000009:adverse effects*; D009790:Occupations; D015995:Prevalence; D011379:Prognosis; D000070777:School Teachers
keywords: Cardiovascular risk factors; Metabolic syndrome; Nigeria; Occupation; Prevalence