C-reactive protein level as marker for vaso-occlusive crisis in patients with sickle cell anemia At North Kordofan State- Sudan

Abstract

Sickle cell anaemia (SCA) is a major cause of morbidity and mortality in Africa. Evidence suggests that sickle cell disease (SCD) is associated with a chronic inflammatory state. C-reactive protein (CRP) is known to modulate inflammation. Its role in the chronic inflammation of SCD may make it valuable as a therapeutic target, the aim of this study is to determine CRP levels in SCA patients in steady state and crisis. This is a cross sectional study in which determined CRP levels and examined the relationship between CRP levels and disease severity in SCA patients in Alkuwaity Hospital, El Obied, Western Sudan. 100 patients with sickle cell anemia, 74 (74%) showed vaso oclusive crises while the remaining 26 (26%) were in steady state, a sandwich immunodetection method (ichroma TM CRP) used for CRP estimations, and Sysmex for CBC. Results of this study showed that patients on crisis have significant increase in CRP level compared with those in steady state (16.4mg/l ± 12.3) and (4.5mg/l ± 1.4) respectively, with p< 0.000. Hb, PCV and RBCs count of the patients with vaso oclusive crises showed lower level than steady state patients with significant differences P< 0.000. WBC count and Platelets showed higher statistical significant differences in vaso oclusive crises patients from steady state patient P< 0.000 and 0.045 respectively. This study concluded that increased levels of CRP in vaso occlusive crises individuals have indicator of inflammatory state, and may have value as a therapeutic target