Some Haemostatic Indices and Body Mass Index of Apparently Healthy Deskbound and Non-Deskbound Employees of a Tertiary Institution in Port Harcourt, Nigeria

Abstract

Background: Prothrombin time (PT) and international normalized ratio (INR) is typically used in conjunction with activated partial thromboplastin time (APTT) to evaluate the overall integrity of the intrinsic, extrinsic and common coagulation pathway and to monitor the treatment of coagulation disorders while BMI screens for weight categories ;an important health index. A high BMI can indicate high body fatness while a low BMI connotes risks of being underweight. These extremes have obvious health challenges. The aim of the study is to determine some haemostatic indices and body mass index in apparently healthy deskbound and non-deskbound employees of the Rivers State University, Port Harcourt.

Methods: A total of hundred (100) employees of the Rivers State University were recruited for this study comprising of 37 females and 63 males, out of which 53 were non-deskbound and 47 deskbound. The deskbound employees were those that work for an average of seven hours sitting down at a stretch while the non-deskbound work for an average of less than seven hours sitting down at a stretch. Using a structured questionnaire, demographic information was collected from each participant. The weight and blood pressure (BP) of each participant was taken using a weighing scale and a MOTECH digital BP monitor respectively.  A standard venipuncture technique was used to collect 3ml of blood into 3.2% tri-sodium citrate anticoagulant (at the ratio of 9:1 blood-anticoagulant) for analysis. Activated partial thromboplastin time (APTT) and prothrombin time (PT) were analyzed using the Helena C4 semi-automated coagulation analyzer, photo-optical coagulation analyzer and the Agape test kit manufactured by Agape diagnostics Switzerland. International normalized ratio (INR) was calculated from the PT results. The data obtained was analyzed using Graphpad Prism software version 6.00 produced by Graphpad software Inc. USA. Data was presented as means, median, range and standard deviation. Comparison between two means was done using student t-test analysis.

Results: The mean ± SD of the PT, INR, APTT and BMI were 13.21 ± 1.97s, 1.03 ± 0.15, 29.7 ± 4.90s and 27.02 ± 2.95s in the same order and the reference ranges established for both deskbound and non-deskbound employees as the following values: PT (s): 9.27-17.15, APTT (s): 19.9-39.5 and INR: 0.73-1.33. Comparison of the prothrombin time (PT), international normalized ratio (INR), activated thromboplastin time (APTT) and BMI between non-deskbound and deskbound staff showed a statistical significant difference for APTT (P=0.0119) and BMI (P=0.0427) while the PT and INR showed no significant statistical difference. However, all the measured haemostatic parameters were within the reference ranges.

Conclusion: The increased APTT observed among the deskbound employees is a pointer to an abnormal haemorrhage if their sedentary working lifestyle continues without any ameliorative measures. Also the increased BMI seen among the Deskbound employees connotes overweight and its attendant health consequences. It is therefore recommended that the deskbound employees should make it a point of duty to walk around in-between their working schedules to break the long hours of sitting down.