Impact of khat leaves on glycosylated haemoglobin and lipid profile in healthy individuals in Dire Dawa, Ethiopia.

OBJECTIVE

The objective of this study is to determine the effect of Catha edulis leaves on glycosylated haemoglobin and lipid profiles in healthy individuals in Dire Dawa, Ethiopia.

METHOD

A cross-sectional study was conducted to evaluate the effect of khat leaves on the glycated haemoglobin and lipid profile in the Dire Dawa population. For the study, 100 male subjects (aged ⩾20-⩽40 years) were recruited and divided into two groups, each consisting of 50 subjects: the first group was khat chewing people while the other group was non-khat chewing individuals. Blood samples were collected and tested to evaluate the glycated haemoglobin and lipid profiles.

RESULTS

The mean glycated haemoglobin value of khat chewers was 5.33% and for non-chewers, it was 5.48%, respectively. Since value is less than the significance value, the -test supports the reduction in glycated haemoglobin values in khat chewers. The mean values of total cholesterol, and triglycerides in khat chewers are 175.2 and 172.92, and for non-chewers they are 168.7 and 164.56, respectively.

CONCLUSION

From this study, we concluded that Catha edulis leaves have a significant effect on glycosylated haemoglobin levels. Mean glycated haemoglobin values of long-term healthy khat chewers are comparatively less than healthy non-chewers. Long-term khat chewing increases total cholesterol levels and triglycerides levels but there is no significant effect on the high-density lipoprotein and low-density lipoprotein levels.