title: Effect of low dose oral pill on haemostatic parameters in a set of Pakistani population.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  To observe the adverse effects of low dose combination contraceptive pills on blood coagulation in a set of local population.
  
  
  METHODS
  Between December 2002 to December 2003 a comparative cross-sectional study was conducted at the Department of Pharmacology, Ziauddin Medical University, Karachi and Aga Khan University Hospital, Karachi. Fifty women of reproductive age were divided in two equal groups; one being the users of combination oral contraceptive pills (ethinyl estradiol and levonorgestrel) and the other being matching controls not taking any hormonal contraceptives. We studied, CBC, PT and INR, APTT, BT and platelet aggregation against ADP, collagen, epinephrine and ristocetin.
  
  
  RESULTS
  PT, INR, and platelet aggregation response to ADP, collagen, epinephrine, and ristocetin were not significantly different among the groups. However, APTT was shortened in users of contraceptives (p = 0.003).
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  The referred oral contraceptive is associated with enhanced activity of intrinsic pathway of secondary haemostasis.
authors.affiliation: Department of Pharmacology, Ziauddin Medical College, Ziauddin University, Karachi, Pakistan.
authors.forename: Nasir Ali
authors.initials: NA
authors.lastname: Afsar
authors.forename: Qamaruddin
authors.initials: Q
authors.lastname: Barakzai
authors.forename: Salman Naseem
authors.initials: SN
authors.lastname: Adil
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D001777:Blood Coagulation / Q000187:drug effects*; D003276:Contraceptives, Oral / Q000008:administration & dosage*; D003430:Cross-Sectional Studies; D004305:Dose-Response Relationship, Drug; D005260:Female; D005500:Follow-Up Studies; D006801:Humans; D015994:Incidence; D010154:Pakistan / Q000453:epidemiology; D012189:Retrospective Studies; D012307:Risk Factors; D013927:Thrombosis / Q000097:blood / Q000453:epidemiology* / Q000209:etiology
chemical_list: D003276:Contraceptives, Oral