Evaluation of chronic alcoholics on haematological profiles in north central Nigeria

Misuse of alcohol is rapidly becoming a public health issue among society's adolescents and adults. The harmful use of alcohol ranks among the top five risk factors for disease, disability and death throughout the world. This study was conducted to determine selected haematological parameters among chronic alcoholics in Ilorin. A total of 70 participants with chronic alcoholism and 30 control samples were randomly selected to determine the possible haematological risks of the social behaviour with majority of participants being within the age range 18-65 years. The haematological parameters PCV, haemoglobin, red blood cell, platelet, and total white blood cell counts were determined using the Sysmex XN-300 instrument. The count of reticulocytes was done manually. The mean value of the subject RBC was decreased (3.45±1.25) in comparison with (4.75±0.66) of non-alcoholics. The results demonstrate a decrease in the subject's mean reticulocyte value (0.724±0.820) compared to (2.12±0.81) of the control, but the difference was not statistically significant. This study found that abstaining from alcohol consumption has no significant influence on red blood cell markers, however extensive drinking had negative implications on the immune cells. As a result, a clinical history of drinking during haematological examinations, may be beneficial and advised especially if the findings show a decrease in the number of immune cells.