1Department of Physiotherapy, Irrua Specialist Teaching Hospital, Irrua (Nigeria)
2Department of Physiology, College of Health sciences, Delta State University, Abraka (Nigeria)
3Department of Internal Medicine, Irrua Specialist Teaching Hospital, Irrua (Nigeria)
4Department of Physiology, College of Medicine, Ambrose Alli University, Ekpoma (Nigeria)
5Department of Medical laboratory Services, Irrua Specialist Teaching Hospital, Irrua (Nigeria)
Some alterations in haematological parameters have been associated with the hypertensive state and acute stroke. Also, some inflammatory markers of haematologic origin may be of prognostic importance in patients with cardiovascular diseases. Some studies have shown alterations in some haematological parameters in hypertensives which may predispose them to increased risk of cerebrovascular diseases. These parameters may also be abnormal among hypertensives that have acute stroke.
The study aimed to assess some commonly measured haematological parameters in acute stroke patients of hypertensive origin, and compare them with age-matched hypertensives without stroke and non-hypertensive normal controls.
A prospective case control study of first time acute stroke patients of hypertensive origin compared with age and sex matched hypertensive and non-hypertensive normal controls in a rural hospital setting.
Ninety-eight subjects, made up of 36 acute stroke (AS) patients, 28 hypertensive controls (HC) and 34 normotensive controls (NC) were recruited. Blood pressures and heart rates were measured, while erythrocyte sedimentation rate (ESR), total white blood cell (WBC), neutrophils, leucocytes, and haematocrit levels were analysed using standard methods.
Mean values were calculated for the parameters where appropriate and Independent t-test applied where applicable.
There were significant increases in mean values of ESR, WBC count and neutrophils between AS and HC, and NC subjects (P< 0.05), and a significant decrease in lymphocyte levels in AS subjects compared to controls (P< 0.05).
Some haematological parameters in acute stroke patients were abnormal, and may play a role in the pathogenesis and prognosis of acute stroke secondary to hypertension.
Hypertension, Stroke, Haematological parameters, Rural hospital
