Platelet count and coagulation profiles of adult hypertensive patients at Felege Hiwot comprehensive specialized hospital, Northwest Ethiopia: A comparative cross-sectional study

Abstract

Background: Hypertension is a global public health problem and associated with metabolic, cellular, and blood disturbances. Hematological and hemostatic disturbance have been documented in individuals with hypertension, playing a pivotal role in hypertension associated vascular complications. Despite this, there is a scarcity of evidence and reports regarding the coagulation profiles are contradicting among hypertensive patients. Thus, this study aimed to compare the platelet count and coagulation profiles of adult hypertensive patients with those of normotensive controls at Felege Hiwot Comprehensive Specialized Hospital in Northwest Ethiopia, from June to August, 2023.

Methods: A comparative cross-sectional study was conducted among a total of 180 study participants (120 hypertensive patients and 60 healthy individuals) recruited by consecutive sampling technique. Socio-demographic, clinical and anthropometric data were collected using structured questionnaires and checklist. A total of six milliliters of venous blood (3 ml in EDTA tube and 3 mL in citrate tube) was collected for platelet count and coagulation profile determination. Platelet count and coagulation profile were determined using Uni Cel DxH800 hematology analyzer and Huma cue due plus coagulation analyzer, respectively. One-way ANOVA, Kruskal Wallis test, and correlation analysis was used during data analysis. A p-value of <0.05 was considered statistically significant.

Results: In the present study, the median (interquartile range) age was 42.5 (36.0-50.0) years for newly diagnosed, 50.0 (45.0-65.0) years for treatment and 40.0 (35.0-45.7) years for the control group (P < 0.001). The overall hemostatic abnormality in hypertensive patient was 83 (69.2%), and significant difference was found in the median of activated partial thromboplastin time, prothrombin time and international normalized ratio between hypertensive patients as compared to control. Statistically significant difference was observed in the median (interquartile range) of activated partial thromboplastin time (P = 0.041), prothrombin time (P < 0.001), and international normalized ratio (P < 0.001) results between newly diagnosed hypertensive patients and healthy controls. Moreover, there was also a significant difference in activated partial thromboplastin time (P = 0.020), prothrombin time (P = 0.011), and international normalized ratio (P = 0.012) results between hypertensive patients undergoing treatment and healthy controls.

Conclusions: Hemostatic abnormality was observed in majority of hypertensive patients. Compered to healthy controls, the median values of activated partial thromboplastin time, prothrombin time and international normalized ratio were significantly higher in hypertensive patients. This finding highlights the importance of assessing coagulation parameters in hypertensive patients in order to prevent complications related to abnormal blood clotting. However, further longitudinal studies are necessary to gain better understanding of the changes in coagulation observed in hypertensive patients.