Changes in haematological parameters associated with excessive alcohol consumption: A South African perspective

Abstract

Background: The World Health Organization (WHO) has identified alcohol abuse as a major global public health threat. In South Africa (SA), alcohol consumption remains high. It is important to note that the number of people who drink excessively is considerably lower than the number of people who completely abstain from drinking. However, a significant factor is that the WHO assigns SA a score of 4, indicating binge drinking, which is defined as consuming five or more beers or glasses of wine in one sitting for men and more than three drinks in one sitting for women.
Aim: Based on these findings, alcohol abuse is the third-largest cause of death and disability in SA, after sexually transmitted infections (STIs) and interpersonal violence.
Method: It is estimated that alcohol consumption contributes to 80% of the deaths of young South African men. Consuming too much alcohol is linked to various physiological changes, including shifts in blood-related parameters. These changes can be crucial indicators for diagnosing alcohol-related health problems and understanding the mechanisms of alcohol-induced liver damage.
Results: Reviews on the impact of alcohol on haematological parameters in SA are scarce, with research often focusing on the broader disease burden and socio-economic damage of alcohol rather than specific haematological changes in the population.
Conclusion: All the mechanisms involved, and the clinical implications of these changes.
Contribution: This review examines various haematological alterations linked to chronic alcohol consumption from a South African perspective.