Obeagu Emmanuel Ifeanyi, Okorie Hope Mercy , Vincent CCN , Okpoli Henry Chijindu Henry
Participants for this study included 50 alcoholics and 50 non-alcoholics (controls). Platelet count of alcoholics and non-alcoholics was; 76.46 ± 19.09, 2 and 182.68 ± 75.33 respectively. Platelet count was significantly lower among alcoholics compared to non-alcoholics (p=0.0001). We observed a negative correlation between platelet count and duration of alcoholism (r=-9.46). The mean prothrombin time (PT) and activated partial thromboplastin time (APTT) values of alcoholics and non-alcoholics was; (29.12 ± 9.67 and 68.08 ± 11.58) and (13.32 ± 3.79 and 31.32 ± 7.65) respectively. Prothrombin time and activated partial thromboplastin time values were significantly lower among alcoholics compared to non-alcoholics (p=0.0001). We observed a positive correlation between duration of alcoholism and prolonged prothrombin time and activated partial thromboplastin time (r = 0.46 and 0.55 respectively). Our study has shown that alcoholism produces a significant adverse effect on some haematological and haemostatic parameters. Evidenced data generated from this study can facilitate the development of a policy on the effective management of haematological and haemostatic complications associated with alcoholism. There is need to enact laws that regulate the production, sales and consumption of various alcoholic beverages to prevent abuse and protect the health of citizens.
