Effect of stress level on blood coagulation and fracture healing in fracture patients

Abstract

Objective To investigate the effect of stress level on blood coagulation and fracture healing in fracture patients. Methods The clinical data of 50 fracture patients (fracture group) and 50 healthy volunteers (control group) were analyzed retrospectively. The oxidative stress indexes [superoxide dismutase (SOD) and malondialdehyde (MDA)] and blood coagulation indexes [plasma fibrinogen (Fib), activated partial thromboplastin time (APTT), thrombin time (TT), and prothrombin time (PT)] were compared between the 2 groups. Correlation between stress level and coagulation indexes in the fracture patients was analyzed by Spearman correlation coefficient. The correlation between stress level and the progress of fracture healing in fracture patients was analyzed. Results There were no significant differences in APTT, TT, PT or other blood co-agulation indexes between the 2 groups (P >0.05). The fracture group had a significantly lower SOD level but significantly higher MDA and Fib levels than the control group (P< 0.05). Spearman analysis showed that the SOD level was negatively correlated to the Fib level (P < 0.05) while the MDA level was positively correlated to the Fib level in the fracture group (P< 0.05). The MDA level was negatively correlated to the process of fracture healing (P< 0.05) while the SOD level was positively correlated to the process of fracture healing in the fracture group (P< 0.05). Conclusions Traumatic fracture can cause stress reaction. It should be kept in mind that the severity of stress reaction is closely related to the Fib level and the process of fracture healing. Key words: Fractures, bone; Oxidative stress; Thrombin time; Fracture healing