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Published on: April 1, 2015
Plasma clot lysis time and its association with cardiovascular risk factors in black Africans
Zelda de Lange1, Marlien Pieters, Johann C Jerling
1Centre of Excellence for Nutrition, North-West University, Potchefstroom, South Africa.
Insights
Cardiovascular disease risk factors are linked to clot lysis times (CLT) in Black Africans. Urban women showed longer CLT than rural women, suggesting potential ethnic differences in fibrinolysis.
Area of Science:
- Cardiovascular Medicine
- Hematology
- Epidemiology
Background:
- Cardiovascular disease (CVD) prevalence is rising in urbanizing Black African populations.
- Limited data exist on fibrinolytic potential and CVD risk factors in this demographic.
- Plasma clot lysis time (CLT) reflects fibrinolytic function, crucial for understanding CVD risk.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate associations between CVD risk factors and CLT in Black Africans.
- To compare CLT between rural and urban Black Africans, considering differing CVD risk profiles.
- To explore potential ethnic variations in fibrinolysis compared to European populations.
Main Methods:
- Cross-sectional analysis of 1000 rural and 1000 urban, apparently healthy Black South Africans (aged 35-60).
- Assessment of associations between various CVD risk factors (PAI-1(act), BMI, HbA1c, triglycerides, metabolic syndrome, fibrinogen, CRP, HIV status, alcohol consumption) and CLT.
- Comparison of CLT between urban and rural participants, stratified by sex.
Main Results:
- Increased PAI-1(act), BMI, HbA1c, triglycerides, metabolic syndrome, fibrinogen, CRP, female sex, and positive HIV status were associated with longer CLT.
- Habitual alcohol consumption was linked to shorter CLT.
- Urban women exhibited longer CLT than rural women; no sex difference in CLT was observed between urban and rural men.
Conclusions:
- CLT is associated with multiple CVD risk factors in Black Africans.
- Observed differences in CLT associations compared to European populations suggest potential ethnic variations in fibrinolysis.
- Urbanization's impact on CLT is modulated by traditional CVD risk factors and their prevalence in different communities.
Abstract:
Studies in populations of European descent show longer plasma clot lysis times (CLT) in patients with cardiovascular disease (CVD) than in controls. No data are available on the association between CVD risk factors and fibrinolytic potential in black Africans, a group undergoing rapid urbanisation with increased CVD prevalence. We investigated associations between known CVD risk factors and CLT in black Africans and whether CLTs differ between rural and urban participants in light of differences in CVD risk.Data from 1000 rural and 1000 urban apparently healthy black South Africans (35-60 years) were cross-sectionally analysed.Increased PAI-1(act), BMI, HbA1c, triglycerides, the metabolic syndrome, fibrinogen concentration, CRP, female sex and positive HIV status were associated with increased CLTs, while habitual alcohol consumption associated with decreased CLT. No differences in CLT were found between age and smoking categories, contraceptive use or hyper- and normotensive participants. Urban women had longer CLT than rural women while no differences were observed for men.CLT was associated with many known CVD risk factors in black Africans. Differences were however observed, compared to data from populations of European descent available in the literature, suggesting possible ethnic differences. The effect of urbanisation on CLT is influenced by traditional CVD risk factors and their prevalence in urban and rural communities.
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