Evaluation of Estimated Whole Blood Viscosity for Evidence-based Pathology in Mental Health: Proposal in Mental Healthcare Nursing Services
Bupe Amon Kyelu *
School of Health, Psychological and Medical Sciences, University of Southern Queensland, Toowoomba, Australia and Top End Alcohol & Other Drugs Services, Royal Darwin Hospital, Darwin, Australia.
Phillip Taderera Bwititi
School of Dentistry and Biomedical Sciences, Charles Sturt University, Wagga Wagga, Australia.
Ezekiel Uba Nwose
School of Health, Psychological and Medical Sciences, University of Southern Queensland, Toowoomba, Australia.
*Author to whom correspondence should be addressed.
Abstract
Background: Psychological stress and cardiometabolic conditions may be associated with changes in whole blood viscosity (WBV). Direct viscosity measurements are not routinely accessible in many mental health service settings. Estimated whole blood viscosity (eWBV), derived from haematocrit and serum total protein results, may provide a practical approach for exploratory assessment, although its clinical validity in mental healthcare remains uncertain.
Aim: This proposal outlines an evaluation of eWBV in mental healthcare nursing services, with a focus on clients experiencing psychological stress and those receiving alcohol and other drugs (AOD) care.
Methods: The proposed observational study will examine the feasibility of deriving eWBV from routine pathology results and incorporating these values into nursing assessment and multidisciplinary case discussions. Cross-sectional comparisons will evaluate eWBV across client subgroups, including those with and without cardiometabolic comorbidities. Cohort follow-up will explore changes in eWBV after clinical management and alongside changes in sleep and weight patterns. Planned analyses include descriptive statistics, Comparative tests, regression and clinical case review.
Expected contribution: The study is intended to assess the availability and interpretability of laboratory data, describe eWBV patterns and examine implementation within nursing workflows. Because no participant outcomes are available, the proposal does not establish eWBV as a diagnostic marker of blood stasis, antiplatelet effectiveness or mental health severity. Further analytical and clinical validation would be needed before routine use.
Keywords: Estimated whole blood viscosity, mental health nursing, haemorrheology, psychological stress, cardiometabolic comorbidity, haematocrit, serum total protein, alcohol and other drugs, observational study, pathology assessment