Hematological and Biochemical Profile of Sickle Cell Patients in Critical and Inter-Critical Periods in Brazzaville, Republic of Congo

Abstract

Introduction: Sickle cell disease is a public health problem in \nthe Republic of Congo where the prevalence of sickle cell trait is estimated at \n1.25%. The objective of this study is to describe the variations of \nhematological and biochemical parameters of hemolysis in sickle cell patients \nin critical and inter-critical periods. Methods: This is a descriptive \ncross-sectional study including sickle cell patients followed regularly at the \nNational Reference Center for Sickle Cell Disease (CNRDr) from November 2019 to \nMarch 2020. A sample of 167 patients (sickle cell subjects in crisis and in \nsteady state as well as control subjects) was randomly selected during the \nstudy period. The blood count was performed using a Sysmex-XN 350 automated \nsystem and the biochemical parameters were determined using the Cobas e 311 \nautomated system. Statistical analysis was performed with SPSS version 22 \nsoftware. Results: The study showed that the mean cholesterol level in \ncontrols was 4.16 ± 0.77 ul compared with 9.64 ± 4.34 ul in sickle cell crisis \nsubjects. Hb and HCT levels were significantly higher in controls compared with \nsickle cell subjects in crisis. During crisis, total bilirubin, direct \nbilirubin, triglycerides, LDH, AST, and CRP were significantly elevated. \nHematological parameters such as Hb and HCT were elevated in controls, while \nthe mean WBC value and RET were higher in sickle cell patients in steady state. \nThe mean values of the biochemical parameters were higher in sickle cell \npatients in steady state. Conclusion: Evaluation of the influence of \nsickle cell trait on biochemical and hematological parameters showed \nsignificant differences between sickle cell and control subjects.