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Query: UMLS:C0149958 (complex partial seizures)
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Researchers compared the results of hematocrit and blood viscosity tests of 16 women using a combined oral contraceptive (COC) with 30 mcg ethinyl estradiol/150 mcg desogestrel (group 1), 11 women using a COC with 30 mcg ethinyl estradiol/150 mcg levonorgestrel (group 2), and 16 women who did not use any OCs (control group), all who attended the National Population and Family Development Clinic at the General Hospital in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia. They wanted to examine the effects of COCs on blood viscosity, which is inversely related to blood flow, and hematocrit. The women were matched for age. The hematocrit level of women who took the ethinyl estradiol/desogestrel COC was significantly higher than that of the control group (41.5% vs. 37.4%; p.001). On the other hand, the hematocrit level of women who took the ethinyl estradiol/levonorgestrel COC was close to that of the control group (38.5% vs. 37.4%). Even though the mean whole blood viscosity for group 2 was higher than that of group 1 and the control group (6.6 cps vs. 5.5 cps), the difference was insignificant. Yet whole blood viscosity of group 2 at the higher shear rates (46, 115, and 230 per second) was significantly higher than the control group (p.05). The whole blood viscosities of group 1 and the control group did not differ considerably. This supported the theory that hematocrit contributes to blood viscosity. Further these results agreed with those of another study which also showed increased blood viscosity and hematocrit in healthy women taking OCs. Thus thromboembolic events in women taking OCs could be a result of a drop in rate of blood flow which at the lower shear rates could increase red cell aggregation and clotting. In conclusion, health providers could use these indicators to monitor women who have used OCs over a considerable period for thrombotic risks to determine if OC use should continue.
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PMID:Effect of combined low-dose oral contraceptives on blood viscosity and haematocrit. 1231 43