Arginine in sickle cell vaso-occlusive crisis: A randomised placebo control trial

Abstract

Sickle cell disease is one of the most common hemoglobinopathies in India. A vaso-occlusive crisis is one of the most common indications for hospitalization, it accounts for 70% of hospitalization. To compare efficacy of Arginine in vaso-occlusive episode(VOE) management in terms of mean fall in pain score at discharge between intervention (Arginine) & placebo group among sickled children with skeletal vaso-occlusive crisis between 2-14 years of age. This randomized placebo control study was carried out after getting clearance from the institutional ethical & research committee, from November 2019 to October 2021 in the Indoor of Pediatrics Department, Veer Surendra Sai Institute of Medical Science (VIMSAR), Burla, Sambalpur. There is significant fall in pain score in case group as compared with control group as evidenced by p value being less than 0.001, indicating that l-arginine has significant role in reducing sickle cell vaso-occlusive episode. Mean Length of stay (LOS) in hospital in case group was 2.16, while in control group was 2.69. p value being calculated showed the value to be less than 0.001, which shows importance of l-arginine in reducing in mean length of stay in hospitalization. L-arginine plays a vital role in treating vaso-occlusive episodes. It helps to reduce the pain gradually as evidenced by noting down pain score at the time of admission & every 24 hours of therapy till discharge. It also helps to reduce the mean duration of hospitalization in vaso-occlusive episode.