EVALUATION OF VON WILLEBRAND FACTOR AND D-DIMER CONCENTRATIONS AMONG SMOKERS IN PORT HARCOURT, NIGERIA

Nnoromle, Ijeoma Chinemerem*, Evelyn M. Eze and Stella Ken-Ezihuo

ABSTRACT

This study evaluated Von Willebrand Factor(VWF) and D-dimer in Two hundred (200) male smokers within ages of 20-49 years and 138 age matched non- smoker controls in Port Harcourt, Rivers State. D-dimers and Von Willebrand Factor were determined using standard methods. The data were analyzed using Statistical Package for Social Sciences (SPSS) version 22. The result showed significant decrease (P<0.05) in VWF(ng/ml), concentration of smokers (1.31 ± 0.37) compared with non-smokers (4.68 ± 1.25) while there was significant increase (P<0.05) in D-dimer(pg/ml) concentrations of smokers (632.7 ± 105.5) compared with controls (126.4 ± 32.01). The study showed reduction in VWF with increase in D-dimer among smokers compared to their respective controls suggesting that smoking caused changes in Von Willebrand Factor(VWF) and D-dimer.

Keywords: Von Willebrand Factor(VWF), D-dimer, smokers.