Evaluation of Von Willebrand Factor and other Coagulation Homeostasis Profile of Patients with Sickle Cell Anaemia attending a Tertiary Hospital at Enugu, Nigeria

Abstract

Background:
 Sickle cell anaemia (SCA) is a genetic disorder that has been shown to facilitate certain forms of coagulopathy. However, there is a paucity of data that demonstrated these features in Nigerian Sickle cell anaemic patients.
 The objective of study:
 This prospective study aims to determine the plasma level of vWF, APTT, PT, platelet count and haematological parameters of SCA patients in steady state in comparison with apparently healthy individuals attending the University of Nigeria Teaching Hospital, Enugu, Nigeria.
 Materials and Methods:
 A total of 85 participants were enrolled in this study. This comprised of 35 homozygous SCA in steady-state as test subjects (HbSS) and 50 apparently healthy individuals of Hb AA as the control group. Blood samples were collected from all participants; both PT and APTT were analysed using Quick and kaolin methods, respectively., vWF was assayed using Enzyme-Linked Immunosorbent Assay (ELISA). Haematological parameters were analysed through the use of an automated haematology analyser.
 Results:
 There was significant elevation of mean±SD of vWF, APTT and platelet count among SCA patients (52.53 ± 1.45 iu/dl), (48.40 ± 4.99 s) and (287.68 ± 21.43 x109/l) when compared with the mean value in control group (40.16 ±1.50 iu/dl), (33.88 ± 1.34 s) and (219.67 ± 13.9 x109/l) (p< 0.05). However, there were significant decrease in PCV, haemoglobin concentration and red blood cell count among SCA patients, (24.00 ± 0.82 l/l), (7.89 ± 0.24 g/l) and (2.97 ± 0.8 x 1010/l) when compared with control group (40.95 ± 0.73 l/l), (12.44 ± 0.26 g/l) and (4.81 ± 0.11 x 10/l) (p˂ 0.05) respectively. In addition, significant elevation of mean ±SD MCH and MCHC with mean values of (26.63±0.93 pg) and (33.28 ± 0.52 g/l) among subjects when compared with control groups (25.68± 0.47 pg), (30.30 ± 0.18 g/l) (p˂0.005). However, there were no significant differences in WBC, PT and MCV in both study groups.
 Conclusion:
 Findings from this study demonstrated prolonged coagulation profile, thrombocytosis and leucocytosis among SCA patients in steady state.