Prevalence of Coagulation and Fibrinolytic Abnormalities among Voluntary Blood Donors at University College Hospital, Ibadan: A Cross-Sectional Study

Abstract

Background: While coagulation and fibrinolytic activity are rarely evaluated, infectious diseases are the main focus of blood donor screening. Subclinical anomalies in hemostatic activities could affect transfusion results and present unnoticed dangers to donor health. Aim and Objectives: Using key hemostatic indicators that includes platelet count, prothrombin time (PT), activated partial thromboplastin time (aPTT), international normalized ratio (INR), fibrinogen, and D-dimer levels, this study sought to ascertain the prevalence of coagulation and fibrinolytic abnormalities among voluntary blood donors at the University College Hospital (UCH), Ibadan, Nigeria. Materials and Methods: One hundred and eighty voluntary, unremunerated donors who satisfied the eligibility requirements participated in a cross-sectional analytical study. Trisodium citrate and ethylene diamine tetra-acetic acid tubes were used to collect blood samples for examination. An automated Sysmex analyzer was used to do full blood count and platelet counts; a coagulometer was used to evaluate PT, aPTT, and INR; and an enzyme linked Immunosorbent assay was used to quantify fibrinogen and D-dimer. Statistical package for social sciences version 26 was used to process the data, and the results were displayed as tables and mean ± Standard error of the Mean, percentages, and frequencies. Results: Platelet count (79.4%), fibrinogen (92.8%), PT (62.8%), INR (62.8%), aPTT (80.0%), and D-dimer (93.9%) were all within normal ranges for most donors. The mean values were D-dimer 639.2 ± 23.77 ng/mL, platelet 191.1 ± 5.38 ×10⁹/L, fibrinogen 345.3 ± 32.43 mg/dL, PT 13.91 ± 0.04 s, INR 1.08 ± 0.09, and aPTT 34.70 ± 0.33 s. In a small subset, abnormal results included low fibrinogen (2.8%), increased D-dimer (2.8%), prolonged aPTT (11.7%), and shortened PT (35.0%), which indicated mild hypercoagulable or hypocoagulable conditions. Conclusion: Even though the majority of donors showed normal fibrinolytic and coagulation profiles, the existence of modest anomalies emphasizes the necessity of routine hemostatic evaluation in donor screening to improve transfusion safety and avert possible negative consequences.