Evaluation of Haemoglobin F and Haemoglobin A2 among Sickle Cell Patients in Steady State at Selected Hospital in Ogun State, Nigeria

Abstract

Background: Sickle cell anemia (SCA) is a genetic disorder characterized by abnormal hemoglobin variants, including hemoglobin F (Hb F) and hemoglobin A2 (Hb A2). Evaluating the levels of these hemoglobin variants in steady-state sickle cell patients can provide insights into disease prognosis and management. This study aimed to assess Hb F and Hb A2 levels among sickle cell patients in steady state at a selected hospital in Ogun State, Nigeria. Objective: To evaluate the levels of hemoglobin F (Hb F) and hemoglobin A2 (Hb A2) in sickle cell anemia patients and determine their associations with demographic factors such as age and gender. Materials and methods: A descriptive cross-sectional study was conducted at the Sickle Cell Center, Abeokuta, Ogun State, Nigeria, from September to October 2020. A total of 60 sickle cell patients in steady state were recruited using convenient sampling. Blood samples were collected, and Hb F and Hb A2 levels were measured using high-performance liquid chromatography (HPLC). Data were analyzed using SPSS version 26.0 with independent t-test and bivariate correlation. Results: The mean levels of Hb F and Hb A2 varied across age groups and genders. Hb F levels were highest in patients over 35 years (10.4 ± 12.16%) and lowest in those aged 26-30 years (3.7 ± 1.3%). The majority of participants had Hb F levels between 2-10%, with a significant association between Hb F levels and age (p = 0.038). Hb A2 levels were consistently above 3.1% in 92.6% of the study population, with no significant association with age or gender. Conclusion: There is a significant association between age and Hb F levels among steady-state sickle cell patients, while Hb A2 levels showed no significant demographic correlations. The findings suggest that Hb F may serve as a potential marker for clinical evaluation in SCA patients.