Lipid Profile and Atherogenic Risk Assessment in Nigerian Breast Cancer Patients – A Cross-Sectional Study

Abstract

Background

The lipid profile and atherogenic risk indices in Nigerian breast cancer patients are largely unknown. This study evaluated the lipid profile and atherogenic risk indices of breast cancer patients in Nigeria.

Methods

This study involved 45 primarily diagnosed breast cancer patients and 50 normal control subjects. Total cholesterol, triglyceride, and High-density lipoprotein cholesterol (HDL-C) were measured. Low-density lipoprotein cholesterol (LDL-C) was calculated according to Friedewald formula. Atherogenic index of plasma (AIP), Atherogenic coefficient (AC), TC/HDL-C (Castelli I) and LDL-C/HDL-C (Castelli II) risk indices were all calculated. The Framingham risk assessment was calculated and categorized.

Results

The study group had significantly higher triglycerides (TG), and atherogenic indices than the control group (p < 0.001), while HDL-Cholesterol (HDL-C) was significantly lower in the study group (p < 0.001). Total cholesterol and LDL-Cholesterol (LDL-C) had a significant positive correlation with age (r = 0.283, p < 0.018; r = 0.272, p < 0.023); TG was significantly positively correlated with systolic and diastolic blood pressure (r = 0.320. p < 0.007; r = 0.334, p < 0.005); HDL-C had a significant negative correlation with BMI, systolic and diastolic blood pressure (r = −0.252, p < 0.035; r = −0.29, p < 0.015; r = −0.329, p < 0.005). The lipid ratios (TC/HDL-C, LDL-C/HDL-C) were significantly positively correlated with body mass index (BMI), systolic and diastolic blood pressure. The Framingham Risk Score showed that only 2 subjects in the study group (4.4%) were at a high risk of having a cardiovascular event.

Conclusion

Breast cancer patients have a higher prevalence of dyslipidaemia, and cardiovascular risk than the normal population.

Keywords:

• Breast cancer
• dyslipidaemia
• atherogenic indices
• Framingham risk score
• Chemotherapy

Disclosure statement

The authors report there are no competing interests to declare.

Data availability statement

The datasets generated and analyzed during this study are available from the medical records at the surgical oncology clinic of the University of Ilorin Teaching Hospital.