Atherogenic Index of Plasma and Visceral Adiposity Index among Healthcare Workers in University of Benin Teaching Hospital, Benin City, Nigeria

Background: The healthcare workers are prone to various diseases; most especially cardiovascular diseases by virtue of the nature of their work. The use of traditional lipid profile in the evaluation of cardiovascular risk among health care workers; most especially atherogenic index of plasma [log (triglyceride /HDL-Cholesterol)] and visceral adiposity index, has been advocated among the clinicians. In this cross-sectional study, atherogenic index of plasma and visceral adiposity index are assessed among healthcare workers.

Aim of the Study: This study aims to determine the level of the atherogenic index of plasma and visceral adiposity index among the healthcare workers in the University of Benin Teaching Hospital, Benin City. The relationship between these parameters was also determined.

Materials and Methods: A total of 325 healthcare workers in the age range of 21-69 years, comprising medical doctors, nurses and the other health professional were recruited using a structured questionnaire. One hundred and sixty (160) of the subjects were males while 165 were females. Subjects were categorised based on their gender and body mass index. Their anthropometrics and blood pressure were measured using standard techniques. Biochemical assays done include fasting serum lipid profile (total cholesterol, triglyceride, HDL-cholesterol and LDL-cholesterol) using standard enzymatic methods. Atherogenic index of plasma and visceral adiposity index were calculated.

Results: Approximately 32% of the subjects were overweight while 26% were obese. Average serum lipids were: Total cholesterol (5.06±1.33 mmol/L), triglycerides (0.91±0.54 mmol/L), HDL-cholesterol (4.08±1.37 mmol/L). Atherogenic index of plasma (AIP) and visceral adiposity index (VAI) were 0.27±0.23 and 1.52±0.91 respectively. Low atherogenic index of plasma and visceral adiposity index were found in the obese healthcare workers. The higher biochemical profile was seen among the female healthcare workers while AIP and VAI were more elevated in the males. A strongly positive correlation was found between triglycerides and visceral adiposity index (r= 0.784; p=0.000) and atherogenic index of plasma (r=-0.223; p=0.000). Approximately 56% of the subjects were at high risk of cardiovascular diseases using atherogenic index of plasma while 23% of the subjects had elevated visceral adiposity index. Triglyceride and HDL-cholesterol were good predictors of levels of atherogenic index of plasma while triglyceride, HDL-cholesterol and waist circumference were good predictors of visceral adiposity index.

Conclusion: In this study, we demonstrated that a high percentage of health care workers have elevated atherogenic index of plasma and visceral adiposity index. There is an urgent need for a more aggressive screening programme to detect and reduce the scourge of dyslipidaemia among healthcare workers. Moreso, there is a strong relationship between AIP and VAI.