Assessment of Renal Function Tests and Lipid Profiles among Apparently Healthy Adult Male Khat-Chewers and Non-Khat Chewers in Dilla Town, Southern Ethiopia. A Comparative Cross-sectional Study
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Date
2024-08-23
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Addis Ababa University
Abstract
Background: Chewing khat, ‘Catha edulis’ is becoming more common in our society with increased harmful health effects, such as lipid metabolism disorder and impaired renal function that are highly associated with acute myocardial infarction. It was categorized as a substance of abuse by the WHO. There is a scarcity of data and contradictory findings on this topic.
Objective: To assess renal function tests and lipid profiles among apparently healthy adult male khat-chewers and non-khat chewers in Dilla Town, Southern Ethiopia.
Methods: A comparative cross-sectional study was undertaken from June to September 2023 in Dilla Town, southern Ethiopia. The study employed convenient sampling techniques. The study included 200 apparently healthy adult male khat-chewers and non-khat chewers. Socio demographic data were collected by using standardized questionnaire. Blood sample collection was done through standardized techniques. Automated Siemens Dimension EXL 200 integrated system were used to analyze the samples. Kruskal-Wallis, Mann-Whitney, and Spearman correlation statistical methods were applied using SPSS Version 26. A P-value of less than 0.05 was considered to indicate statistical significance.
Result: Among khat chewers, the levels of HDL-C (median ± IQR [interquartile range]) were significantly lower (34.0 ± 17 mg/dl) in comparison to non-khat chewers (39.5 ± 25 mg/dl) (P = 0.007). Additionally, khat chewers displayed significantly higher levels of TC/HDL ratio (3.81 ± 2.05 vs. 3.17 ± 1.29, P< 5 and 5–10 years.
Conclusion: Khat chewing has a deleterious effect on HDL, triglyceride, and TC/HDL ratio levels. It may be associated with duration of khat chewing, frequency of khat chewing, bundle of khat used, and absence of physical activity. Thus, awareness creation should be implemented by the concerned bodies to minimize the habit of chewing khat.
Key word: Khat, Catha edulis, Lipid profiles, Renal function tests
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Khat Catha edulisLipid profiles Renal function tests