ABO Red Cell Antigens, von Willebrand Factor, Factor VIII and Platelet counts among Hypertensive Patients In Kaduna Metropolis, Kaduna

Abstract

Background: von Willebrand Factor and factor VIII have been implicated in the vulnerability of causing hypertension which is  related/common to some of the ABO blood group antigens. However, the precise mechanism/role of the von Willebrand Factor and  factor VIII in hypertension is unknown. The study is a comparative study that is aimed to determine the association of ABO red cell  antigen, von Willebrand factor, Factor VIII, and Platelets among hypertensive patients in Kaduna, Nigeria.

Methods: To determine this  association, fifty-five (55) hypertensive patients and 28 controls were recruited. A purposive sampling technique was employed in  selecting the study participants. Determination of the ABO blood group, vWF, FVIII, and platelets was carried out to establish the  frequency and the association of ABO blood type with hypertension.

Results: It was established that blood group O (43%) has the highest distribution followed by A, B, and AB (6%) the least. There was no significant difference in vWF(ng/L), FVIII(pg/ml), and platelet count(109/l) between the patients and the controls (454.9 and 456.2), (242.0 and 228.4) and (238.0 and 213.0) respectively, p>0.05. The  correlation studies showed a strong association between vWF and FVIII (r - 0.544, P<0.0001). There was a significant difference between  males’ and females’ vWF and FVIII (P=0.0013 and 0.0029 respectively), indicating females had a higher level of vWF and FVIII, and  therefore at higher risk of developing hypertension. Women should therefore be screened for these parameters as a matter of routine.  

Conclusion: The risk of developing hypertension based on the parameters considered in this study is independent of the ABO blood  group of an individual. There is a need for further studies, to confirm or rule out these findings.