Abstract:
Background: Effective treatment and management of sickle cell disease (SCD) has been a
challenge in Africa over the years. Hematological parameters are very useful profiles in the
effective management of the disease. However, there is scarcity of studies on the hematological
parameters of SCD in Ghana. This study aimed at determining hematological parameters
among SCD patients with vaso-occlusion, those in the steady state as well as healthy controls
at a teaching hospital in Ghana.
Methodology: This was a cross-sectional study involving a total of 628 subjects, including
148 HbAA controls, 208 HbSS patients in steady state, 82 HbSC patients in steady state, 156
HbSS patients in vaso-occlusive crises (VOC), and 34 HbSC patients in VOC. Venous blood
sample was collected from all study participants. A full blood count was done within 2 hours
of collection, and hemoglobin (Hb) concentration, packed cell volume, red blood cell (RBC)
concentration, mean corpuscular Hb, mean cell volume, mean corpuscular Hb concentration,
and white blood cells (WBC) and platelet (PLT) counts were recorded.
Results: WBC and PLT counts were significantly higher in both female and male patients with SCD,
compared with their healthy counterparts (P<0.05). The level of WBC was, however, significantly
higher in patients with HbSS VOC among the SCD patients (P<0.001). Levels of Hb, RBC, and
hematocrit were significantly higher in the controls (P<0.001). There was no significant difference in
mean cell Hb among male patients with SCD (P=0.274) and female patients with SCD (P=0.5410).
Conclusion: The SCD patients had lower Hb and RBC than the controls; however, higher PLT
and WBC are noted in various status of SCD, possibly reflecting spleen effect in these patients.
Further studies are needed to confirm these findings
