Metabolic syndrome risk scores and their correlates amongst hypertensive patients attending university of Port Harcourt teaching hospital

Hypertension is one of the leading causes of premature morbidity and mortality. It is largely asymptomatic, often undetected and only detected through opportunistic screening. This study assessed the metabolic syndrome risk scores and their correlates amongst hypertensive patients attending University of Port Harcourt Teaching Hospital, Port Harcourt. Nigeria. The study adopted a cross-sectional study design involving a total of 76 hypertensive patients. Data were collected using structured self-administered questionnaire, anthropometric records, biochemical analyses and review of associated medical records. The results recorded more females (65.8%) than males (34.2%), mean age of participants was 55.3 ± 10.8 year. Assessment of lifestyle characteristics revealed 15.8% were smokers, 81.6% consumed alcohol and 39.5% were physically active. The prevalence of metabolic syndrome was 64.5%; satisfying at least three of the four National Cholesterol Education Program – Adult Treatment Panel III (NCEP-ATP III) criteria framework. The mean HbA1c value was 6.83 ± 1.34% and Glycaemic index results of dysglycaemia in this population showed 58.2% and 55.3% based on Fasting Plasma Glucose and Glycated Haemoglobin (HbA1c) assay respectively. Lipid profile results showed 51.3% of participants exhibited low High-Density Lipoprotein (HDL) levels; 46.1% elevated triglycerides (TG) levels; 43.4% abnormal Low-Density Lipoprotein (LDL) and 39.5% Total Cholesterol (TC) levels. A chi-square analysis comparing sex revealed a higher occurrence among female subjects (66.0%) compared to male (61.5%), (χ² = 0.09, p = 0.766). These biochemical evaluations served to identify those subjects who are at risk based on co-morbidities and support risk profiling of patients thereby facilitating tailored management and treatment.