Elevated Markers of Metabolic Syndrome and Inflammation in Hypertensive Naval Personnel on Treatment: An Increasing Concern in Naval Medical Center Sapele, Nigeria

Abstract

Background: Hypertension is a major health problem among naval personnel, and it is exacerbated by occupational stressors and hazards. Aims and Objective: This study was carried out to determine the markers of metabolic syndrome (MetS) and inflammation and their association with hypertension in naval officers. Materials and Methods: Sixty (60) hypertensive and 60 age-matched normotensive male naval officers participated in this study. 5ml of venous blood sample was collected from each participant. Markers for MetS; systolic blood pressure (SBP), diastolic blood pressure (DBP), body mass index (BMI) were determined by standard methods, while serum total cholesterol (TC), triglycerides (TG), high-density lipoprotein (HDL) and low-density lipoprotein (LDL)were determined using spectrophotometric methods. Markers of inflammation; C-reactive protein (CRP) and interleukin-6 (IL-6) were determined using Enzyme-link immunosorbent assay (ELISA) methods. Results: The hypertensive naval officers had significantly higher SBP (131.65±11.82 vs. 122.95±5.27 mmHg,), DBP (87.36±7.73 vs. 81.20±4.81 mmHg), BMI (29.95±2.20 vs. 23.20±1.79 kg/m²), TC (4.97±0.97 vs. 4.24±0.55 mmol/L), TG (1.33±0.29 vs. 1.10±0.24 mmol/L), LDL (3.22±0.84 vs. 2.58±0.55 mmol/L), and lower HDL (1.24±0.27 vs. 1.56±0.24 mmol/L) (p=0.001 in each case). The level of markers of inflammation was elevated in the hypertensive naval officers; CRP (6.56±1.62 vs. 3.66±0.78 mg/L) and IL-6 (19.62±5.88 vs. 15.58±5.46 pg/mL) (p=0.001 in each case). Strongly significant positive correlations were observed between SBP and DBP (r=0.805, p=0.000), TC and LDL (r=0.794, p=0.000), and between TG and HDL (r=0.651, p=0.000). There were non-significant correlations between MetS and inflammatory markers. Conclusion: Elevated level of markers of metabolic syndrome; BP, BMI, TC, TG, LDL and low level of HDL parallel elevated level of inflammatory markers; CRP and IL-6 in hypertensive naval officers. This may be an indication of susceptibility to cardiovascular disorders due to prolonged deployment in the sea, with implications for the need to institute targeted interventions for the reduction of cardiovascular risk in this high-risk group.