ABO Red Cell Antigens, von Willebrand Factor, Factor VIII and Platelet counts among Hypertensive Patients In Kaduna Metropolis, Kaduna.

Background: von Willebrand Factor and factor VIII have been implicated in the vulnerability of causing hypertension which is related/common to some of the ABO blood group antigens. However, the precise mechanism/role of the von Willebrand Factor and factor VIII in hypertension is unknown. The study is a comparative study that is aimed to determine the association of ABO red cell antigen, von Willebrand factor, Factor VIII, and Platelets among hypertensive patients in Kaduna, Nigeria. Methods: To determine this association, fifty-five (55) hypertensive patients and 28 controls were recruited. A purposive sampling technique was employed in selecting the study participants. Determination of the ABO blood group, vWF, FVIII, and platelets was carried out to establish the frequency and the association of ABO blood type with hypertension. Results: It was established that blood group O (43%) has the highest distribution followed by A, B, and AB (6%) the least. There was no significant difference in vWF(ng/L), FVIII(pg/ml), and platelet count(109/l) between the patients and the controls (454.9 and 456.2), (242.0 and 228.4) and (238.0 and 213.0) respectively, p>0.05. The correlation studies showed a strong association between vWF and FVIII (r - 0.544, P<0.0001). There was a significant difference between males’ and females’ vWF and FVIII (P=0.0013 and 0.0029 respectively), indicating females had a higher level of vWF and FVIII, and therefore at higher risk of developing hypertension. Women should therefore be screened for these parameters as a matter of routine. Conclusion: The risk of developing hypertension based on the parameters considered in this study is independent of the ABO blood group of an individual. There is a need for further studies, to confirm or rule out these findings.