Normal reference levels of haemostatic variables in healthy Saudis

ABSTRACT

The normal levels of prothrombin time, partial thromboplastin time, thrombin time, reptilase time, fibrinogen, antithrombin III, plasminogen, alpha2-antiplasmin, vWFRiCofactor, vWFAg, FVIIIC, FX, platelet count, FV, FVII and FIX, were determined in 1235 healthy Saudi males [n = 803] and females [n =432] aged 11 to 60 years. Females had shorter partial thromboplastin time and reptilase time, higher level of fibrinogen, antithrombin III [ATIII], plasminogen and platelet count, than males. FVIIIC, vWFAg and vWFRiCof, and fibrinogen increased with advancing age. In females, ATIII and plasminogen dropped after the age of 50 years. The study confirmed higher factor VIII activity in individuals of group A and B than O. Smoking had no effect on haemostatic variables. The differences between these observations and those reported in the literature are highlighted and discussed. These data will represent the Saudi population reference values for these haemostatic parameters