Hematological Inflammatory Indices and Coagulation Parameters in Individuals with Substance Use Disorder: A Comparative Study with Healthy Controls

Abstract

Background: Substance use disorder (SUD) is associated with systemic inflammatory activation and may influence hematological and coagulation-related pathways. Chronic exposure to psychoactive substances may promote immune activation, endothelial dysfunction, and increased platelet reactivity, thereby contributing to inflammation-coagulation crosstalk. Routine laboratory markers derived from complete blood count and coagulation tests have recently gained attention as potential indicators of these biological alterations. Objective: This study aimed to evaluate hematological inflammatory indices, platelet-related parameters, and coagulation markers in individuals with SUD compared with healthy controls. Methods: This cross-sectional study included individuals diagnosed with SUD (n = 55) and age- and sex-matched healthy controls (n = 40). Hematological parameters, including neutrophil, lymphocyte, monocyte, platelet indices, and derived inflammatory ratios, were analyzed. Coagulation parameters, including prothrombin time (PT), activated partial thromboplastin time (aPTT), international normalized ratio (INR), fibrinogen, and D-dimer levels, were also evaluated. Statistical analyses were performed to compare laboratory findings between groups. Results: Significant alterations were observed in several hematological and fibrinolytic parameters in individuals with SUD. Specifically, the neutrophil-to-lymphocyte ratio (NLR), platelet count (PLT), and D-dimer levels were significantly higher in the study group compared with the controls, suggesting increased inflammatory activity, platelet activation, and fibrinolysis. In contrast, the fibrinogen levels did not show clinically meaningful differences between the groups. Conclusions: Individuals with SUD exhibit alterations in hematological inflammatory indices, platelet-related parameters, and fibrinolytic markers. Routine hematological and coagulation parameters may provide accessible indicators of systemic inflammatory and hemostatic disturbances associated with SUD and may support future research aimed at identifying potential biological markers of addiction.