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Background: The global burden of cardiovascular diseases (CVDs) is mainly driven by modifiable risk factors, with sub-Saharan Africa as the region to bear the brunt of the increasing burden. Emphasis has been on hypertension while side-lining the others to variable extents. Furthermore, the work environment, which plays an important role in the social life of adults has received less attention. This study aimed to identify nonhypertensive modifiable cardiovascular risk factors among traders in an urban market in Calabar metropolis, Nigeria. Materials and Methods: In this cross-sectional study, we collected data on demographic characteristics and cardiovascular risk profile from eligible traders at Marian market, using a structured interviewer-administered questionnaire. The anthropometric and blood sugar measurements of the participants were duly obtained. Results: A hundred and fifty-one traders comprising 97 (64.2%) females and 54 (35.8%) participated in the study. Physical inactivity (58.3%), obesity (33.1%), risky alcohol consumption (17.9%), diabetes (9.9%), and cigarette smoking (2%) were the identified modifiable cardiovascular risk factors. A greater proportion of the females was obese compared to the males (P = 0.009), whereas the males had greater proportions with physical inactivity (P = 0.003), risky alcohol consumption (P = 0.026), and cigarette smoking (P = 0.022). Conclusion: The proportion of nonhypertensive cardiovascular risk factors was high in the traders, with physical inactivity, obesity, and risky alcohol consumption identified as the most prevalent. Preventive measures to mitigate the increasing burden of CVDs should be extended to traders.

BACKGROUND: Augmentation indexes (AIxs) and pulse wave velocity (PWV) are arterial stiffness parameters. They can be studied by pulse wave analysis (PWA) noninvasively. Before use, AIx and PWV need normative baseline study to find the predictors. MATERIALS AND METHODS: We conducted a cross-sectional study in 801 nonhypertensives, aged 15–65 (divided into five subgroups) years. PWA was accomplished by Mobil-o-Graph (IEM, Germany) based on oscillometric principle and cardiovascular parameters reported were further analyzed. Value of P < 0.05 was taken as statistical significance. RESULTS: There were five age-based subgroups from 15 to 65 years, showing an increase in AIx@75 and PWV with age. Females had significantly higher AIx in male in age groups (31.4 vs. 25.8, 34.95 vs. 27.21, 32.62 vs. 27.61, 34.32 vs. 26.36, 37.09 vs. 29.63; P < 0.05 for all), but PWV was higher in males than females in young age group (15–24 years-4.94 vs. 4.71, 25–34 years-5.28 vs. 5.12, 35–44 years-6.00 vs. 5.84; P < 0.05 in all) and in females than males in older age group (45–54 years-6.88 vs. 6.78,55–65 years-8.13 vs. 8.03). Major positive significant predictors of PWV were age, Body Mass Index, and systolic blood pressure; and of AIx@75 were age, height (negative), heart rate, and pulse pressure. AIx@75 and PWV showed a positive correlation with each other across all age group in either sex except for 55–65 years and 25–34 years age groups. CONCLUSIONS: Oscillometric measurement of PWV and AIx@75 is feasible in our population. They are dependent on each other and age, totally not dependent on blood pressure and have difference in predictors. This baseline data can be used as a reference for future studies.

Context: Obesity even in absence of diabetes and hypertension increases the risk for microalbuminuria (MAU), glomerular hyperfiltration, and therefore nephropathy. Aims: This study aims to assess the urinary albumin excretion (UAE), prevalence of MAU, and values of estimated glomerular filtration rate (eGFR) in obese nondiabetic and nonhypertensive patients, vis a vis thin healthy subjects, and attempts to correlate anthropometric measurements with UAE and eGFR. Setting and Design: Cross-sectional analytical study on 60 cases who were obese according to Asia Pacific guidelines and 60 nonobese controls. Patients with diabetes, hypertension, ischemic heart disease, and established renal disease were excluded. Methods and Material: Albuminuria was assessed in each patient by quantitative immunoturbidimetry method on a spot urine sample. eGFR was calculated by Cockcroft--Gault formula. Statistical Analysis: Data was analyzed using SPSS (2015 version). Mann--Whitney U-test, Fisher Exact test, and Spearman's correlation coefficient was used for various variables. Results: The mean age of cases was 31.90 ± 6.32 years. About 78.33% were in class 1 and 21.66% in class 2 obese groups. The mean UAE at 21.20 ± 26.82 mg/g creatinine was higher in the case group. The prevalence of MAU was 11.66% and 3.33% in case and control groups, respectively. The cases had a significantly higher mean eGFR of 123.29 ± 20.49 mL/min/kg as compared with controls who had a mean eGFR of 106.59 ± 10.15 mL/min/kg. There was moderate correlation between anthropometric measurements and eGFR. Conclusion: Younger, class 1 obese patients had a higher UAE, eGFR, and three times higher MAU prevalence, even in absence of diabetes and hypertension, with a correlation between anthropometry and eGFR as compared with nonobese individuals. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]