Haematological variables of stroke patients attending clinic at Neuro-stroke Centre, University of Calabar Teaching Hospital, Calabar

Abstract

Stroke is a leading cause of morbidity and mortality worldwide, with haematological alterations playing a key role in its pathophysiology and management. This study assessed the haematological parameters of stroke patients at the University of Calabar Teaching Hospital, Calabar. A cross-sectional design was employed, enrolling 100 participants, comprising 50 stroke patients and 50 apparently healthy controls. Full blood count was determined using the Beckman Coulter -DXH 520 Automated Haematology Analyzer. Relative plasma viscosity was determined by Reid and Ugwu method; prothrombin time and activated partial thromboplastin time by Quick One-stage technique and thrombin time and fibrinogen by Clauss technique. Data were analysed using Student’s t-test on SPSS 20.0, with significance set at P ≤ 0.05. Results indicated that stroke patients had significantly lower (P<0.05) Haemoglobin (Hb), mean corpuscular volume (MCV), mean corpuscular haemoglobin (MCH) and mean corpuscular haemoglobin concentration (MCHC) when compared with the controls. Eosinophil (EOS) and basophil (BASO) counts were significantly higher (P<0.05) for stroke patients compared with the controls. Mean platelet volume (MPV) was also elevated (P<0.05) in stroke patients compared with controls. While thrombin time decreased significantly (P=0.001), fibrinogen concentration increased significantly (P=0.001) for stroke patients more than in the control. It is concluded that stroke significantly affects haematological parameters. The significantly reduced haemoglobin and red cell indices (MCV, MCH, MCHC) indicates impaired erythropoiesis and chronic inflammatory effects while the elevated eosinophil and basophil counts, as well as mean platelet volume, reflect immune activation and a pro‑thrombotic state. Lower thrombin time and elevated fibrinogen are suggestive of a hypercoagulable state for stroke patients. These haematological changes may serve as useful indicators for monitoring disease progression, guiding clinical management, and assessing risk in stroke patients.