No abstract

This study evaluated the effects of time and temperature variables on routine Prothrombin Time test and Activated Partial Thromboplastin Time (APTT) test among subjects of African descent in Sokoto, North Western Nigeria. Samples of 99 subjects made up of 49 male and 50 female subjects with mean age 38.3 ± 22.3 years. Coagulation tests were performed immediately specified times after phlebotomy up to 24 hours (0, 1, 2, 3, 4 and 24 hours at room temperature of 40 degrees C. Our data demonstrate that prothrombin time and APTT results are stable for up to 2 hours, remaining constant regardless of storage conditions. Post hoc tests using Bonferroni correction revealed that there were increases in PT time from 0 hour to 4 hours (17.82 ± 0.61 seconds vs 18.30 ± 0.59 seconds, respectively), from 0 hour to 24 hours (17.82 ± 0.61 seconds vs 18.48 ± 0.59 seconds, respectively), from 2 hours to 4 hours (17.89 ± 0.58 seconds vs 18.30 ± 0.59 seconds), from 2 hours to 24 hours (17.89 ± 0.58 seconds vs 18.48 ± 0.58 seconds), which were all statistically significant (p = 0.002 and p < 0.000, p < 0.000, p < 0.000, respectively). However, the increase in PT time from 0 hour to 2 hours (17.82 ± 0.61 seconds vs 17.89 ± 0.59 seconds, respectively) and from 4 hours to 24 hours (18.30 ± 0.59 vs 18.48 ± 0.59 seconds, respectively) were not statistically significant (p = 1, p = 0.428). A repeated measure ANOVA determined that mean PTTK time differed statistically significantly between time points F (3, 291) = 119.22, p < 0.001. Post hoc tests using Bonferroni correction revealed that there were increase in PTTK time from 0 hour to 2 hours (37.86 ± 1.04 seconds vs 39.94 ± 1.07 seconds, respectively), from 0 hour to 4 hours (37.86 ± 1.04 seconds 80vs 42.34 ± 1.11 seconds, respectively), from 0 hours to 24 hours (37.86 ± 1.04 seconds vs 44.93 ± 1.20 seconds), from 2 hours to 4 hours (39.94 ± 1.07 seconds vs 42.34 ± 1.11 seconds), from 2 hours to 24 hours (39.94 ± 1.07 seconds vs 44.93 ± 1.20 seconds) and from 4 hours to 24 hours (42.43 ± 1.11 vs 44.93 ± 1.20 seconds), which were all statistically significant at p < 0.001). Therefore, we conclude that there are no statistically significant differences in the PT and APTT between 0 and 2 hours. A longer timing (after 2 hours) from phlebotomy collection of blood from respondents elicited a statistically significant increase in the PT and APTT result. There were no statistically significant differences in the PT and APTT result determined 4 hours and 24 hours after phlebotomy. Longer timing from collection of blood from respondents elicited a statistically significant increment/increase in the clotting time using PTTK. Our data demonstrate that PT and APTT results are stable for 2 hours remaining constant regardless of storage conditions.

Background: Haemoglobinopathies are inherited disorders of haemoglobin synthesis that are responsible for significant morbidity and mortality all over the world. Communities in Africa constitute a major part of the population that is vulnerable to many erythrocytic hereditary and haematological disorders. The aim of this study was to find the prevalence/spectrum of haemoglobin variants among 400 subjects of African descent resident in Sokoto, North Western Nigeria. Methods: Standard alkaline cellulose acetate electrophoretic technique using the Shandon electrophoretic tank with tris-ethylene diamine tetracetic acid (EDTA) borate buffer was employed for the determination of abnormal haemoglobin variants. Results: Four hundred subjects of African descent with mean age of 38.4±12.8 years comprising 121 males (30.25%) and 279 (69.75%) females with a mean age 38.4±12.8 years constituted the subjects for this prospective case study. The prevalence based on age groups indicated that the prevalence of HbAA was highest in the 11-20 years age group while HbAS, HbAC, HbSC and HbSS (35%, 8.5%, 2.25%, 0.75%, and 4.25%) prevalence was highest among subjects<10 years old. The percentage distribution of different forms of haemoglobin (Hb) among the subjects was; Hb AA 280(70%); HbAS 93(23.25%); HbAC 5(1.25%); HbSC 3(0.75%) and HbSS 19(4.75%). Among the male subjects, 93(67.9%) were HbAA, 18(14.9%) were HbAS; 1(0.83%) were HbAC; 1(0.83%) were HbSC and 8(6.61%) were HbSS. Among the 279 female subjects, 187(67.02%) were HbAA, 75(28.88%) were HbAS; 4(1.43%) were HbAC; 2(0.72%) were HbSC and 11(3.94%) were HbSS. We observed that all subjects with haemoglobin SS and SC were less than 20 years of age. Conclusion: This research indicates a high prevalence of haemoglobin variants in the study population. We recommend that carrier screening and mutation identification be implemented as a preventative measure. There is need for the formulation of genetic counseling policies to provide evidenced-based information to enable prospective couples make informed decisions aimed at reducing the incidence of haemoglobinopathies in Sokoto in particular and Nigeria in general.