Haemorheological Alterations Associated with Chronic Alcohol Consumption Among Adults in Akure, Southwest Nigeria

Abstract

Background: Harmful alcohol consumption remains a major global public health challenge and is strongly associated with a wide range of hematological and cardiovascular disorders. Chronic alcohol intake can disrupt normal blood rheology by altering erythrocyte deformability, plasma protein balance, inflammatory responses, and vascular dynamics, thereby compromising blood viscosity and microcirculatory flow. These haemorheological disturbances may contribute significantly to cardiovascular morbidity and impaired tissue perfusion. Despite the growing burden of alcohol-related diseases in Nigeria, there is limited data on the haemorheological consequences of chronic alcohol consumption among Nigerian populations. This study therefore investigated the effects of chronic alcohol intake on selected haemorheological parameters among alcohol consumers in Akure, Nigeria. Aim: This study aimed to evaluate the effects of chronic alcohol consumption on selected haemorheological parameters among chronic alcohol consumers. Methodology: A cross-sectional comparative study was conducted among 75 participants aged 20–50 years. Fifty chronic alcohol consumers constituted the study group, while 25 apparently healthy non-alcohol consumers served as controls. Sociodemographic and alcohol consumption data were obtained using structured questionnaires. Venous blood samples were collected and analyzed for packed cell volume (PCV), erythrocyte sedimentation rate (ESR), plasma fibrinogen concentration (PFC), whole blood viscosity (WBV), and plasma viscosity (PV). PCV was determined using the microhematocrit method, ESR by the Westergren method, fibrinogen concentration by the clot-weight method, and viscosity measurements using the Ingram method. Data analysis was performed using SPSS version 25. Student’s t-test and analysis of variance (ANOVA) were used to compare means, with statistical significance set at p < 0.05. Results: Chronic alcohol consumers demonstrated significant alterations in haemorheological indices when compared with non-alcohol consumers. Packed cell volume was significantly lower among alcohol consumers (36.90 ± 3.96%) compared with controls (39.44 ± 2.82%) (p = 0.005). Similarly, plasma fibrinogen concentration was markedly reduced in alcohol consumers (2.07 ± 0.59 g/L) relative to controls (2.63 ± 0.67 g/L) (p < 0.0001). Conversely, erythrocyte sedimentation rate was significantly elevated among alcohol consumers (29.28 ± 8.28 mm/hr) compared with controls (24.20 ± 4.97 mm/hr) (p = 0.006). Whole blood viscosity and plasma viscosity were also significantly higher among alcohol consumers (6.65 ± 0.63 cp and 2.11 ± 0.52 cp, respectively) than controls (5.95 ± 0.58 cp and 1.76 ± 0.50 cp, respectively) (p < 0.01). Furthermore, significant variations in all measured parameters were observed according to the frequency of alcohol intake, type of alcoholic beverage consumed, and alcohol concentration (p < 0.0001). Conclusion: Chronic alcohol consumption is associated with significant haemorheological alterations characterized by reduced packed cell volume, decreased plasma fibrinogen concentration, elevated erythrocyte sedimentation rate, and increased blood viscosity. These abnormalities may adversely affect microcirculatory blood flow, promote vascular dysfunction, and increase the risk of cardiovascular complications. The findings underscore the need for increased public health awareness regarding the hematological and cardiovascular consequences of excessive alcohol consumption and highlight the importance of early monitoring among chronic alcohol consumers.