Cardiovascular Disease Risk Factors and Cardiac Markers among Male Cement Workers in Calabar, Nigeria

Prolonged or repeated exposure to cement dust, depending on the duration, level of exposure and individual sensitivity has health implications on the skin, eyes, respiratory and haematological systems. This study assessed cardiovascular disease risk factors and cardiac markers among cement workers of Nigerian origin to determine the effects of duration of exposure to cement dust on these parameters. Troponin I, Creatine kinase MB (CK-MB), anthropometric indices, lipid profile, fasting plasma glucose (FPG) and atherogenic index of plasma (AIP) were determined in 50 cement workers and 40 controls. The cement workers were sub-grouped based on their duration of exposure. Significance level for statistical analyses was set at P < 0.05. The mean total cholesterol (P < 0.0001), HDL-cholesterol (P = 0.030), LDL-cholesterol (P = 0.004), VLDL-cholesterol (P < 0.0001), Triglycerides (P < 0.0001), troponin (P < 0.0001), CK-MB (P = 0.001) and AIP (P = 0.004) values were significantly higher in cement workers when compared with controls. There were no significant differences (P>0.05) in FPG levels and the anthropometric indices measured. Cement workers with duration of exposure > 8years had higher mean values of FPG, CK-MB, total cholesterol, LDL-cholesterol. This study has shown that lipid profile, troponin and CK-MB levels are significantly higher in cement workers compared to controls. Cement workers may be at a greater risk of developing cardiovascular disease.