ABSTRACT
Background: Oral contraceptive pill (OCP) is related to development of hypercoagulability and the risk of thromboembolic effects in women. Objectives: To assess the coagulability status in women taking oral contraceptives by estimation of plasma fibrinogen level and total count of platelets. Methods: This cross sectional study was conducted in the Department of Physiology, Dhaka Medical College, Dhaka, during the period of January 2012 to December 2012 on sixty apparently healthy female subjects aged 25 to 45 years taking OCPs for 1 to 10 years. Thirty subjects were 1 to 5 years user group and another 30 subjects were >5 to 10 years user group. They were collected from family planning clinics of Dhaka city. In addition, age matched 30 apparently healthy women of OCP nonusers were also studied as control. For assessment of coagulability state, plasma fibrinogen and total counts of platelet levels were estimated by automated coagulation analyzer and automated hematology analyzer. Statistical analysis was done by unpaired Student’s t’ test. Results: The mean (±SE) total count of platelet level was significantly higher (P<0.001) in contraceptive user group and plasma fibrinogen level was higher in users but it was not significant. Conclusion: This study concludes that OCP users had more tendency of hypercoagulability and therefore these women are at higher risk of thromboembolic effects.
ABSTRACT
Background: Exercise plays a role in preventing cardiovascular disease as well as other serious health problems. Objectives: A cross sectional comparative study was performed to observe the changes in serum total cholesterol and triglyceride in apparently healthy female athletes. Methods This study was carried out in the Department of Physiology of Dhaka Medical College from July 2005 to June 2006. For this, 30 female athletes aged 17 to 38 years (experimental) who were under regular physical exercise training for at least two years and age matched 30 healthy female non athletes (control) for comparison were selected. Fasting serum Triglyceride and total Cholesterol levels of all the subjects were measured. Data were compared between athletes and non athletes and analyzed statistically by unpaired ‘t’ test. Results Mean±SD cholesterol levels were 141.10 ±14.46 & 165.10±7.03 and Mean±SD Triglyceride levels were 76.10±11.54 & 96.60±17.02 in athletes and non athletes respectively. Serum total cholesterol (p<0.001) and triglycerides (p<0.01) were significantly lower; in athletes compared to those of non athlets. Conclusion: From this study it can be concluded that, serum total cholesterol and triglycerides may be lowered in athletes.