Correlation between RBC changes and coagulation parameters in high altitude population

ABSTRACT

Objective: To explore the correlations between RBCs indexes and the basic coagulation parameters, and provide data for further studies on high altitude-induced thrombotic disease.

Methods: A total of eligible 433 volunteers were divided into different groups according to HGB concentration and HCT, respectively. PT, APTT, TT and Fbg were measured by clotting assays. HGB content, HCT and PLT count were assessed by automated hematology analyzer.

Results: APTT and PT were significantly higher in group 4 (high HGB or HCT groups) (p < 0.05 for all comparison) and PLT count was significantly lower in group 4 than in other groups (p < 0.01 for all comparison). APTT and PT showed negative correlations with HGB concentration (r = −0.168 and −0.165 resp.; both p < 0.01), whereas positive correlations were found between APTT and HCT, PT and HCT (r = 0.225 and 0.258, resp.; both p < 0.01). PLT, TT and Fbg showed no correlation with HGB and HCT.

Conclusions: HGB and HCT may not correlate with basic coagulation parameters in high altitude population, their predictive value for high altitude-induced thrombotic disease may relatively independent and this remain to be determined in further studies.

KEYWORDS:

• High altitude
• red blood cells
• hemoglobin
• hematocrit
• coagulation parameters

Acknowledgements

We thank all colleagues for their collaboration and assistance. Rong Zhang conceived and designed the research, analyzed the data, wrote the paper, prepared figures and/or tables, reviewed drafts of the paper. Xiaochuan Yu designed the research and collected the data. Yuanzhen Shen, Chunhui Yang and Fengjuan Liu collected the data and prepared figures and/or tables. Shengliang Ye and Haijun Cao performed the research and analyzed the data. Xi Du and Li Ma performed the research and reviewed drafts of the paper. Zongkui Wang and Changqing Li conceived and designed the experiments, wrote the paper, prepared figures and/or tables, reviewed drafts of the paper. The authors thank the People’s Hospitals of Aba for their cooperation in our survey.

Disclosure statement

No potential conflict of interest was reported by the authors.

ORCID

Rong Zhang http://orcid.org/0000-0003-4480-7191

Shengliang Ye http://orcid.org/0000-0003-4477-3075

Additional information

Funding

This work was supported by the project of the Establishment of Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences Innovation Fund for Medical Sciences [2016-12M-1-018].