Changes in Haematological Parameters in Stroke Patients in Port Harcourt, Nigeria

This was a case control study carried out on patients with stroke receiving medication at Braithwaite Memorial Specialist Hospital, Port Harcourt with the aim of identifying possible abnormal changes in haematological parameters associated with established stroke patients. The effect of stroke on haematological parameters was assessed and juxtaposed with apparently healthy control subjects without stroke. A total of 27 subjects diagnosed with stroke (15 females and 12 males) of age between 34 and 69, and 23 subjects (13 females and 10 males) that are apparently healthy of age between 30 and 62, enrolled as control, with all participants recruited between the first and second week of November, 2014. Haematological parameters were analysed using SYSMEX KX-21-N auto analyser. The results showed that there was statistically significant difference in the mean values of mean cell haemoglobin 26.91 2.44pg versus 33.77 0.98pg (pless than0.0001), platelet count 205.80 58.30 x 109/L versus 257 64.15 x 109/L (pless than0.05), and mean platelet volume 10.91 1.56fl versus 9.85 1.23fl (pless than0.05), other parameters showed no statistically significant difference. Comparing the changes observed in stroke based on gender, there was significant difference (p less than 0.05) in mean platelet volume, red blood cell count, haemoglobin concentration, packed cell volume and white blood cell count, there was a significant increase in (mean platelet volume, red blood cells, haemoglobin concentration, packed cell volume and white blood cell count), other parameters showed no statistically significant difference. Based on duration of stroke, there was statistically significant difference (p less than 0.05) in mean platelet volume, platelet distribution width, mean cell volume, and white blood cell count, those who had stroke for 5years and above showed significant increase in mean platelet volume and platelet distribution width and a significant decrease in mean cell volume. The high increase in mean platelet volume in stroke group can therefore be implicated as the major change in haematological parameters in stroke. Therefore, further studies are recommended on mean platelet volume.