A Cross-Sectional Study of the Impact of Antipsychotic Medications on the Hematological Profile of Patients with Schizophrenia in a Tertiary Health Facility in Uyo, South-South, Nigeria

Objective: Antipsychotic drugs have been implicated as a potential cause of haematological toxicity. However, the seemingly mild and asymptomatic presentation is perhaps responsible for it not being frequently investigated. The aim of this study, therefore, was to determine the effect of antipsychotic drugs on the hematological profile of patients with schizophrenia.

Methods: This was a descriptive cross-sectional study involving 100 participants i.e. 60 subjects and 40 controls. 2.5 mls of blood was obtained from each participant for determination of full blood counts. Clinical data of subjects including their demographic characteristics, classes of antipsychotics, and duration of antipsychotic usage were obtained from their respective case files. Data was analysed using Statistical Package for Social Sciences for Windows Version 17. Significant level was set at p<0.05.

Results: The mean of the hematological parameters including haemoglobin concentration, absolute neutrophil counts and platelet counts were significantly lower among the subjects than the controls p=0.001, 0.04 and 0.001 respectively. Similarly, there was statistically significant differences in the mean platelet count, MPV and PCT of subjects and controls with p<0.001, 0.001 and 0.04 respectively. However, there was no association between the mean age and gender of subjects and absolute neutrophil count p=0.24 and 0.46 respectively.

Conclusion: Significant reduction in haematological parameters of subjects compared to the controls may suggest some degree of haemato-toxicity most likely attributable to the antipsychotic drug. Furthermore the absolute neutrophil count though significantly lower in the subjects did not show age or sex differences. Therefore, there is need to regularly monitor haematological indices of psychiatric patients during treatment with antipsychotics.