Haemostatic variables and their relationship to body mass index and blood pressure in adult Nigerians with the sickle cell trait.

Several studies had assessed the rheological and haemostatic parameters in both sickle cell anaemia(HbSS) and haemoglobin AA(HbAA) subjects. The effect of the heterogeneous state on these parameters has not been fully determined. Our aim was to assess the haemorheological and haemostatic parameters and there relationship to body mass index in individuals with the sickle cell trait. Fifty eight males (41 HbAA and 17 HbAS) who were neither smokers nor drinkers were studied. Body mass index was calculated as weight in Kg divided by height in m(2), blood samples were analysed for haematocrit, erythrocyte sedimentation rate, platelets, fibrinogen and factor VII by standard methods. There were no significant differences in the levels of haemostatic and cardiovascular risk factors between the HbAA and HbAS individuals. Fibrinogen correlated positively with BMI (r=0.6014, p=0.0107), systolic blood pressure (r=0.4820, p=0.0570), diastolic blood pressure (r=0.4699, p=0.0570) in HbAS individuals. The body mass index also correlated positively with diastolic blood pressure (r=0.5182, p<0.05), and systolic blood pressure (r=0.6189, p<0.01). Positive associations were also found between fibrinogen and body mass index (r=0.5012, p=0.0008), and fibrinogen and haematocrit (r=0.3696, r=0.0174) respectively in HbAA subjects. We conclude that the lack of significant difference in both haemorheological and cardiovascular risk factors in HbAS and HbAA subjects has further supported the observation that HbAS is a benign condition under physiological settings. Also the positive associations of fibrinogen with other cardiovascular risk factors have further underscored the central role of fibrinogen as an independent risk factors in the development of cardiovascular diseases.