The association between the hypertriglyceridaemia waist phenotype, cardiovascular risk factors and the metabolic syndrome in South African Asian-Indians.

BACKGROUND AND AIMS: The combination of high triglycerides and increased waist circumference (HTGW) has not been examined as a predictor of cardiometabolic abnormalities or the metabolic syndrome (MetS) in high-risk Asian populations. This study examines the so-called hypertriglyceridemia waist (HTGW) phenotype, (high serum triglycerides [Tg]) and increased waist circumference (WC) as a predictor of cardiometabolic abnormalities in a high-risk Asian population. METHODS: Data from the Phoenix Lifestyle Project, a cross-sectional study of 1349 South Asian Indians (15-65 years; 379 men; 970 women) in Durban, KwaZulu-Natal, were reclassified into different waist and Tg phenotypes using the demographic, anthropometric, and biochemical parameters. The HTGW phenotype was defined as WC ≥ 90 cm for men; ≥80 cm for women & TG ≥ 1.7 mmol/L. The MetS was determined using the harmonised criteria. Stepwise logistic regression was used to determine the strength of each phenotype as a predictor of the MetS. RESULTS: The HTGW phenotype was recorded in 35.4% of participants, predominantly women (36.1%) and 8.2% smokers. Metabolic derangements and cardiovascular risk factors increased significantly in those with HTGW phenotype. After adjustment, multivariate logistic regression showed that the association between elevated total serum cholesterol, LDL, lowered HDL, diabetes and hypertension with HTGW persisted. The odds for participants with the HTGW phenotype developing the MetS was 19.7 (95% CI 13.9; 27.9). The degree of concordance between the HTGW was highest with the IDF and harmonised criteria for MetS. CONCLUSION: The HTGW phenotype was associated with a significantly higher risk of developing additional lipid derangements, hypertension, diabetes and the MetS.

The Association of Epicardial Adipose Tissue and the Metabolic Syndrome in Community Participants in South Africa.

BACKGROUND: We sought to determine the association of echocardiographically derived epicardial adipose tissue (EAT) thickness, which is a component of visceral adipose tissue, with the metabolic syndrome (MetS) in a cohort of randomly selected community participants. METHODS: South African-Asian Indians aged 15-64 years were recruited over a 2-year period after informed consent was obtained. All participants who had complete measurements done for biochemistry and echocardiography (using established criteria), were dichotomized into the MetS or non-MetS groups defined according to the harmonized criteria. RESULTS: Of the 953 (232 men and 721 women) participants recruited, 47.1% (448) were classified with the MetS. These participants had larger waist circumference and body mass index (P < 0.001), with larger LA volumes and diameter, thicker ventricular walls, higher left ventricular mass, relative wall thickness, and EAT (P < 0.001). There was a corresponding increase in EAT thickness with increasing number of MetS risk factors at the transition from 0 MetS factors to 1 (95% confidence interval [CI] -0.8; -0.2) and from 2 to 3 MetS factors (95% CI -0.9; -0.4). The AUC of the receiver operator curve was highest for triglycerides (0.845), followed by fasting plasma glucose (0.795) and then EAT (0.789). An EAT value of <3.6 mm predicted the presence of the MetS with a 78% sensitivity and 70% specificity. Using backward stepwise logistic regression, the most significant independent determinants of the MetS after adjusting for age, gender, and type 2 diabetes mellitus, was fasting plasma glucose (odds ratio [OR] = 1.2), triglycerides (OR = 7.1), and EAT (OR = 2.3). CONCLUSION: Although EAT is associated with the MetS, and can identify individuals at increased cardiometabolic risk, it has a limited additional role compared to current risk markers.

Fasting Plasma Glucose and the HbA1c Are Not Optimal Screening Modalities for the Diagnosis of New Diabetes in Previously Undiagnosed Asian Indian Community Participants.

Objectives: There is no definitive consensus on the screening algorithm in high-risk communities for diabetes. The aims of our study were to determine the prevalence of undiagnosed diabetes in a high-risk community using the oral glucose tolerance test (OGTT), as well as determine the value of anthropometric measurements and other measures of glycemia in the detection of diabetes. Method: All participants from the Phoenix Lifestyle project without known diabetes, and who had undergone an OGTT were selected for study. Anthropometric measurements were collected according to accepted guidelines. Diabetes was diagnosed if fasting plasma glucose (FPG) ≥7.0 mmol/l, if 2-hour plasma glucose level during OGTT was ≥ 11.0 mmol/l, or if HbA1c ≥ 6.5%. Results: The prevalence of newly diagnosed diabetes was 14.3% (11.7 % age standardized) (women=15.4%; men=11.8%). The prevalence rates were underestimated using FPG criteria, but overestimated when using the HbA1c. The AUC (area under the receiver-operator characteristics curve) was highest for FPG (.879), HbA1c (.855), then anthropometry measures (BMI=.621; waist circumference=.627). For diabetes, at levels >6.3, the discriminant ability (DA) of HbA1c was highest (79%), while a cut-point of ≥5.5mmol/l for FPG yielded a DA= 81.5% (82% sensitivity; 81%; specificity of 81%). There was a low level of agreement between the FPG (Kappa = .506), HbA1c (Kappa = .537), and the OGTT. Age- and sex-adjusted independent determinants of diabetes using stepwise backward logistic regression were age, triglyceride levels and a positive family history for diabetes. Conclusion: Neither the HbA1c nor the FPG approached adequate predictive accuracy in the diagnosis of diabetes. In view of the high prevalence of undiagnosed diabetes, this study underscores the need for ongoing national surveillance data.

Acute systemic inflammatory response after cardiac surgery in patients infected with human immunodeficiency virus using clinical and inflammatory markers.

BACKGROUND: Immediate post-cardiopulmonary bypass (CPB) immune responses and organ injuries in immune-compromised patients remain poorly documented. METHOD: Sixty-one consecutive patients (30 HIV seropositive and 31 seronegative), undergoing elective cardiac valve(s) replacement were enrolled, from a single center hospital, after informed consent was obtained. C-reactive protein (CRP) and Erythrocyte sedimentation rate (ESR) were used as biomarkers of acute inflammatory response. RESULTS: The mean age was similar between the HIV seropositive and negative group. Pre-operatively, CRP (p=0.388) and ESR (p=0.817) were comparable. The CPB events and durations were significantly different between the two groups: duration (p=0.021), clamp aortic duration (p=0.026), bloodtransfusion (p=0.013), total urine output (p=0.035) and peak lactate (p=0.040). Post-operatively, there was significant increased biomarkers level in both groups, albeit not between the groups with a significant negative correlation between the mean change in CRP levels and mechanical ventilation (r=0.548, p=0.002) in the seropositive group (r=0.025, p=0.893). The correlation between pre-operative and post-operative difference in CRP and ICU stay was not significant in both groups. A significant drop (p=<0.001) in CD4 cells was documented post-operatively in the HIV seropositive group. CONCLUSION: HIV positive patients' post-operative reactions to cardiac surgery supported by CPB are similar to those of HIV seronegative patients.

Increased waist circumference is the main driver for the development of the metabolic syndrome in South African Asian Indians.

There is no current evidence available on the prevalence of metabolic syndrome (MetS) in South African Asian Indians, who are at high risk for cardiovascular disease. The aim of our study was to determine the prevalence of the MetS in this group, between males and females, as well as in the different age-groups, using the harmonised criteria and determined the main components driving the development of MetS. DESIGN AND METHODS: This cross-sectional study recruited randomly selected community participants between the ages of 15 and 65 years, in the community of Phoenix, in KwaZulu-Natal. All subjects had anthropometric variables and blood pressure measured, as well as blood drawn for blood glucose and lipids after overnight fasting. The MetS was determined using the harmonised criteria. RESULTS: There were 1378 subjects sampled, mean age 45.5±13years and 1001 (72.6%) women. The age standardised prevalence for MetS was 39.9% and significantly higher (p<0.001) in women (49.9% versus 35.0% in men). The MetS was identified in 6.9% of young adults (15-24 years), with a four-fold increase in the 25-34year olds, and 60.1% in the 55-64year old group. Clustering of MetS components was present in all age-groups, but increased with advancing age. The independent contributors to the MetS were increased waist circumference, raised triglycerides and obesity. This study highlights the high prevalence of MetS in this ethnic group and the emergence of MetS in our younger subjects. Urgent population-based awareness campaigns, focussing on correcting unhealthy lifestyle behaviours should begin in childhood.

The operating room as a clinical learning environment: An exploratory study.

Students undertake their clinical placement in various clinical settings for the exposure to and acquisition of skills related to that particular context. The operating room is a context that offers the opportunity to develop critical skills related to the perioperative care of the patient. Despite numerous studies that have been undertaken in this field, few have investigated the operating room as a clinical learning environment in the South African private healthcare context. The aim of this study was to determine nursing students' perceptions of the operating room as a clinical learning environment. An exploratory, interpretive and descriptive design generating qualitative data was utilized. Eight nursing students completed an open-ended questionnaire, and twelve nursing students participated in the focus group discussion. Four themes emerged, namely, 'interpersonal factors', 'educational factors', 'private operating room context', and 'recommendations'. The opinion that the operating room offers an opportunity to gain skills unique to this context was expressed. However, despite the potential learning opportunities, the key findings of this study reveal negative perceptions of nursing students regarding learning experiences in the operating room. Exploration into the preparatory needs of students specific to learning outcomes before operating room placement should be considered. It will also be necessary to improve collaboration between lecturers, mentors and theatre managers.