Assessment of Risks of Cardiovascular Diseases among Leprosy Patients Settlement at Ossiomo-Ogan Rehabilitation Center, Edo State, Nigeria

Background/Aim: Quality of life is reduced in people living with leprosy as a result of its impact on human activities. Lipid profile means pattern of lipids in the blood, which is routinely done to assess cardiovascular risk. The aim of this study is to assess the risk of cardiovascular diseases among the leprosy patients settlement at Ossiomo-Ogan, Edo state. Method: Blood samples were collected from a total number of one hundred and eight (108) (57 leprosy patients and 51 controls) subjects. The lipid profiles of the participants were determined using standard methods. Results: Significantly (p < 0.001) higher mean serum levels of total cholesterol, triglycerides, HDL and LDL in leprosy patients compared with the healthy controls were obtained. There is significant positive correlation between artherogenic index and levels of total cholesterol (r = 0.663; p < 0.001); triglyceride (r = 0.901; p < 0.001); HDL (r = 0.284; p = 0.003); and LDL (r = 0.626; p < 0.001) in leprosy patients. However, all the control subjects and 54 (94.7%) of the leprosy patients had low cardiovascular disease risk, while 3 (2.8%) indicated moderate CVD risk. None of the participants had high risk of developing cardiovascular disease. Conclusion: In this study, lipid profile levels of leprosy patients significantly increased despite moderate level of BMI. This study also showed significant positive correlation between the anthrogenic index of plasma and all the lipid profile. Many of the leprosy patients are not conscious of their diet which was tilted towards heavy carbohydrate and fatty meals. None of the participants is at high risk of cardiovascular diseases but the risk may increase with further elevation of the lipid profiles. Efforts should be made by all stakeholders to improve on the awareness of leprosy disease and encourage the sufferers to live decent lives.