Comparison of Clotting and Inflammatory Biomarkers Between Young Hypertensive and Normotensive Adults in Ekiti State, Nigeria

Q: What are the key findings of this study?

Young hypertensive adults exhibited significantly lower antithrombin III levels (242.98 vs 1269.27 ng/mL) and higher levels of inflammatory markers like IL-33 and fibrinogen compared to normotensive controls.

Q: What is the clinical evidence from this study?

Study design: Cross-Sectional. Population: Hypertension (n=170). Intervention: Hypertension vs. Normotension. Primary outcome: Antithrombin III levels (ng/mL) (p=<0.001).

Q: What does this research mean for the field?

Young hypertensive adults exhibit significantly lower antithrombin III levels alongside elevated inflammatory and pro-thrombotic markers, including IL-33, CRP, and fibrinogen, compared to normotensive controls. Novelty: ClaimNovelty.CONFIRMATORY. Consensus alignment: ConsensusAlignment.SUPPORTS_CONSENSUS.

Q: What question did this study set out to answer?

To compare inflammatory, metabolic, and coagulation biomarkers between young hypertensive and normotensive adults to identify early vascular alterations.

Saidu Muhammad; Adams Olalekan Omoaghe; Busayo Oguntola; Tony Ezike; Kehinde Samuel Olaniyi

doi:10.71480/nmj.v67i4.1494

June 14, 2026Open Access

Comparison of Clotting and Inflammatory Biomarkers Between Young Hypertensive and Normotensive Adults in Ekiti State, Nigeria

View Full Paper

Ask AI

Bookmark

Share

Key result

Hypertension in young adults is linked to ~81% lower antithrombin III levels and higher inflammation.

P<0.001
n=170

Figures

Why the study?

Early identification of biological changes associated with hypertension in young adults remains challenging, despite hypertension being a prevalent stroke risk factor.

Do young adults with hypertension exhibit altered clotting, inflammatory, and metabolic biomarkers compared to normotensive adults?

Key Points

To compare inflammatory, metabolic, and coagulation biomarkers between young hypertensive and normotensive adults to identify early vascular alterations.
Multicenter cross-sectional study consecutively recruiting 110 hypertensive and 60 normotensive adults aged 18-45 years from tertiary hospitals in Ekiti State, Nigeria.
Venous blood samples were analyzed for interleukin-33, antithrombin III, fibrinogen, and lipoprotein(a) via ELISA, alongside lipid profile, CRP, bilirubin, uric acid, hs-Troponin T, and HbA1c using standard laboratory methods.
Hypertensive adults exhibited a pronounced pro-thrombotic profile with significantly lower antithrombin III (mean 242.98 ± 132.34 ng/mL vs. 1269.27 ± 542.14 ng/mL; p < 0.001) and elevated fibrinogen (1021.53 ± 185.20 ng/mL vs. 530.14 ± 116.15 ng/mL; p < 0.001).
Inflammatory and cardiac markers were significantly higher in hypertensives, including IL-33 (90.05 ± 22.30 pg/mL vs. 38.35 ± 5.69 pg/mL; p < 0.001), CRP (21.85 ± 5.60 ng/mL vs. 15.45 ± 4.09 ng/mL; p < 0.001), and hs-Troponin T (9.85 ± 4.21 ng/mL vs. 3.14 ± 0.94 ng/mL; p < 0.001).
Metabolic dysregulation was evident in hypertensives through higher total cholesterol (7.23 ± 1.09 mmol/L vs. 3.48 ± 0.64 mmol/L; p < 0.001) and uric acid (7.97 ± 2.84 mg/dl vs. 1.59 ± 0.31 mg/dl; p < 0.001), along with lower protective total bilirubin (46.86 ± 7.43 μmol/l vs. 56.20 ± 5.89 μmol/l; p < 0.001).

Study Design

Type

Cross-Sectional (n=170)

Multicenter

Yes

Structured PICO

Do young adults with hypertension exhibit altered clotting, inflammatory, and metabolic biomarkers compared to normotensive adults?

P

Population

170 young adults aged 18-45 years (110 hypertensive and 60 normotensive) from Nigeria were evaluated for differences in clotting and inflammatory biomarkers.

E

Exposure

Hypertension (defined as office BP ≥ 140/90 mmHg on two separate occasions or currently taking antihypertensive medication)

C

Comparator

Normotensive adults

O

Outcome

Differences in clotting, inflammatory, and metabolic biomarkers (including antithrombin III, fibrinogen, IL-33, CRP, hs-Troponin T, lipid profile, HbA1c, uric acid, and bilirubin) measured via ELISA and biochemical assayssurrogate

Main Result

Absolute Event Rate: 242.98% vs 1269.27%

p-value: p=<0.001

Young adults with hypertension demonstrate significant pro-inflammatory, pro-thrombotic, and dyslipidemic biomarker alterations compared to normotensive peers, highlighting potential early mechanisms of cardiovascular and stroke risk.

Limitations

Cross-sectional design prevents causal inference and limits assessment of temporal relationships.
Stroke outcomes and imaging confirmation were not included.
Relatively small sample size which may reduce statistical power and generalizability.
Potential confounding factors such as diet, lifestyle, and genetic predisposition were not fully controlled.
Selection bias may exist due to hospital-based consecutive recruitment.
Cross-sectional design prevents causal inference and limits assessment of temporal relationships
Stroke outcomes and imaging confirmation were not included
Relatively small sample size
Potential confounding factors such as diet, lifestyle, and genetic predisposition were not fully controlled
Selection bias may exist due to hospital-based recruitment

Implication

These biomarker differences in young hypertensives should not change practice; hypothesis-generating for longitudinal outcome studies.

Abstract

Background: Stroke remains a leading cause of death and disability worldwide and is increasingly affecting young adults aged 18-45 years. Hypertension is the most prevalent risk factor, yet early identification of associated biological changes in this population remains challenging. Inflammatory, metabolic, and coagulation biomarkers may provide insight into vascular alterations linked to hypertension. Methodology: In this multicenter cross-sectional study, 110 hypertensive and 60 normotensive adults aged 18-45 years were consecutively recruited from tertiary hospitals in Ekiti State, Nigeria. Ethical approval and informed consent were obtained. Sociodemographic and clinical data were collected, and venous blood samples were analyzed for interleukin-33, antithrombin III, fibrinogen, and lipoprotein(a) using ELISA. Additional markers including lipid profile, C-reactive protein (CRP), bilirubin (total and direct), uric acid, and glycated hemoglobin (HbA1c), were assessed using standard laboratory methods. Results: Hypertensive participants exhibited elevated total cholesterol, triglycerides, and LDL-C, with significantly reduced HDL-C. Lipoprotein(a) levels did not differ between groups. Inflammatory markers (IL-33 and CRP) and fibrinogen were significantly elevated in hypertensives, while antithrombin III was reduced, reflecting a pro-thrombotic tendency. Total and direct bilirubin were lower in hypertensives, suggesting a potential protective role when elevated. HbA1c and uric acid were also significantly higher in the hypertensive group. Conclusion: Several biomarkers were altered in hypertensive individuals, reflecting inflammatory, metabolic, and pro-thrombotic associations. These findings represent associations with hypertension rather than predictive markers of stroke. Longitudinal studies are warranted to validate these associations and explore biomarker combinations for improved risk assessment in young adults.

Discussion

No takes yet. Share an insight, caveat, or question.

Cite This Study

Muhammad et al. (2026) conducted a cross-sectional in Hypertension (n=170). Hypertension vs. Normotension was evaluated on Antithrombin III levels (ng/mL) (p=<0.001). Young hypertensive adults exhibited significantly lower antithrombin III levels (242.98 vs 1269.27 ng/mL) and higher levels of inflammatory markers like IL-33 and fibrinogen compared to normotensive controls.

synapsesocial.com/papers/6ad0fd1915427f6a8404050f https://doi.org/10.71480/nmj.v67i4.1494

View Full Paper

Ask AI

Bookmark

Share

Comparison of Clotting and Inflammatory Biomarkers Between Young Hypertensive and Normotensive Adults in Ekiti State, Nigeria

Figures

Key Points

Study Design

Structured PICO

Main Result

Limitations

Implication

Abstract

Discussion

Cite This Study

Comparison of Clotting and Inflammatory Biomarkers Between Young Hypertensive and Normotensive Adults in Ekiti State, Nigeria

Figures

Key Points

Study Design

Structured PICO

Main Result

Limitations

Implication

Abstract

Discussion

Cite This Study

Keep reading

Keep reading