Factors associated with atherogenic dyslipidemia among hypertensive patients at southern Ethiopia

Atherogenic dyslipidemia worsens cardiovascular functions and supporting data concerning dyslipidemia among hypertensive patients in Ethiopian situation is very limited. The objective of this study was to assess factors associated with atherogenic dyslipidemia among hypertensive patients at Southern Ethiopia. A cross-sectional study was conducted on 238 hypertensive participants at Hawassa University comprehensive specialized hospital from September 2015 to June 2016. Systematic random sampling technique was used and written informed consent was obtained from each participant. Socio-demographic and other relevant data were collected by pre-structured questionnaires. In addition overnight fasting blood sample was collected from each study subjects for serum biochemicals determination. About 90.8% of patients had least one dyslipidemia, with the most frequent being hypertriglyceridemia (62.2%) and low high-density lipoprotein cholesterol (HDL-c, 60.9%). Being a female was significantly associated with dyslipidemia. The adjusted odds ratio (95% CI) was 2.1 (1.2-3.9; P=0.01) for hypercholesterolemia (TC), 2.4 (1.1-4.9; P=0.02) for raised low-density cholesterol (LDL-c) and 2.9 (1.6-5.4; P<0.0001) for low HDL-c. In addition, patients with hyperuricemia were more likely to develop hypercholesterolemia, hypertriglyceridemia, low HDL-c and raised TC/HDL-c when compared to patients with normouricemia. The adjusted odds ratio (95% CI) was 1.8 (1.1-3.1; P=0.047), 2.6 (1.4-4.8; P= 0.001), 2.7 (1.5-4.8; P=0.001) and 3.1 (1.7-5.4, P<0.0001), respectively. The prevalence of raised TC, LDL-c, triglycerides and low HDL-c were higher in hypertensive patients and these are an established atherogenic lipid profiles. Therefore, lipid profiles should be performed at the baseline of hypertension diagnosis prior to starting any anti-hypertensive agents and then periodically through treatment follow-up to manage any increasing trends.