Dyslipidemia and Associated Cardiovascular Risk Factors Among Non-Diabetic Taxi-Motorbike Drivers Working in Cotonou, Benin

Abstract

Background: Dyslipidemia or abnormal lipid level is a major risk factor for Cardiovascular Diseases (CVDs). However, epidemiologic features and influencing factors of dyslipidemia (e.g., liver enzymes) have not been reliably quantified in high- risk populations in Benin. We identified cardiovascular risk factors (CVRFs) associated with dyslipidemia, its prevalence and patterns in taxi-motorbike drivers (TMDs) of Cotonou. Methods: We conducted a cross-sectional study among 134 TMDs aged 22.0–59.0 years. Fasting glucose, insulin, Alkaline Phosphatase (ALP), Alanine Aminotransferase (ALT), and aspartate aminotransferase (AST), high sensitivity C-reactive protein (hs-CRP), and blood lipids were measured. Dyslipidemia was defined as any or a combination of the following: increased total cholesterol (TC > 5.2 mmol/L), low- density lipoprotein cholesterol (LDL-C > 3.4 mmol/L), triglycerides (TG > 1.7 mmol/L), and reduced high-density lipoprotein cholesterol (HDL-C < 0.9 mmol/L). Predictors of dyslipidemia were analyzed using logistic regression. Results: The overall prevalence of dyslipidemia was 29.1% (95% CI: 21.4–36.8%). The prevalence of elevated TC, TG, LDL-C, and low HDL-C were 17.2%, 3.7%, 14.2%, 9.0%, respectively. Mixed dyslipidemia was identified in 14.2% of participants. Dyslipidemic forms ranged between 3.2 to 20.6% in hypertensive and between 5.0– 21.2% in insulin resistant patients. Logistic regression showed that systolic blood pressure (OR= 1.05, 95% CI: 1.01–1.10, P= 0.015), ALT (OR= 1.10, 95%CI: 1.01-1.20, P= 0.016), and hs-CRP (OR= 1.12, 95% CI: 1.01-1.23, P= 0.027) were independently associated with increased risk of dyslipidemia, whereas alcohol consumption was related to a lower dyslipidemia risk (OR= 0.37, 95% CI: 0.14-0.97, P= 0.047). Conclusion: The high prevalence of dyslipidemia, which co-occurs with CVRFs such as hypertension, ALT, and hs-CRP in TMDs of Cotonou should raise concern. These markers may help prevent dyslipidemia and associated CVDs within Benin.