Evaluation of Liver Function and Haemorheological Parameters in Some Carpenters Exposed to Wood Dust in Port Harcourt

Aim: To evaluate liver function and haemorheological parameters in some carpenters exposed to wood dust in Port Harcourt.

Methodology: This cross-sectional study was carried out in some parts of Port Harcourt, the capital city of Rivers State in the southern part of Nigeria. The locations of the research included Sandfield mile 2 Diobu, Marine base, and Abuja by-pass Nkpolu-oroworukwo, Port Harcourt. Ethical approval and informed consent of the participants were obtained before commencement of the study. A total of one hundred and fifty (150) apparently healthy subjects aged between 20 t0 50 years were used for the study. Ninety (90) carpenters exposed to wood dust served as test subjects, while sixty (60) non- carpenters, non-wood workers not exposed to wood dust served as controls. Interviewer based sample questionnaire was administered to the subjects. Liver function parameters, Packed cell volume (PCV), erythrocyte sedimentation rate (ESR), haemoglobin concentration (Hb), and fibrinogen were analysed using standard laboratory techniques.

Results: The mean age of the test subjects (36.5 ± 9.9 years) was not significantly different (P > .05) from that of the controls (32.1 ± 5.8 years). There were no significant differences (P > .05) in alanine aminotransferase (ALT), aspartate aminotransferase (AST), alkaline phosphatase (ALP), Total protein (TP), albumin (ALB), total bilirubin (TB), conjugated bilirubin (CB), PCV and Hb in the test subjects compared to the controls. ESR (19.60 ± 10.67mm/Hr) and fibrinogen (624 ± 60.88ng/mL) were significantly higher (P< .05) in the tests (carpenters) compared to ESR (8.41 ± 5.36mm/Hr) and fibrinogen (448.4 ± 67.91ng/mL) in the controls.

Conclusion: Wood dust exposure did not alter the liver function, PCV, and Hb levels of carpenters. However, with increases in ESR and fibrinogen in the carpenters, there may be a risk of inflammation to wood dust exposure in the carpenters, with negative consequences to the vasculature.