Plasma Fibrinogen levels in a sample of black and white Zimbabwean blood donors

Abstract

Previous comparative studies of plasma fibrinogen levels in blacks and whites in Africa have yielded variable results, with some researchers reporting no significant difference between the two groups, while others have reported higher mean plasma fibrinogen levels in blacks. This present study compares plasma fibrinogen levels in healthy, urban black and white male Zimbabwean blood donors. Our results show significantly higher (p<0.005) plasma fibrinogen levels in blacks (3.05±0.18) compared to whites (2.43±0.13). The blacks also showed greater variability in their plasma fibrinogen levels.