O-07: TRANSFUSION PRACTICE, POST-TRANSFUSION COMPLICATIONS AND RISK FACTORS IN SICKLE CELL DISEASE IN SENEGAL

Abstract

Purpose: Blood transfusion is an indispensable therapy in sickle cell disease, despite its multiple and often harmful complications. The objective of this study was to evaluate the complications of alloimmunization, infection and iron overload secondary to blood transfusion in sickle cell disease patients. Materials and methods: This was a six-month cross-sectional case-control study conducted in the Clinical Hematology Department of Dakar (Senegal) on 253 patients followed for major sickle cell disease (153 polytransfused and 100 non-transfused patients). Transfusion practice (modalities, indications), post-transfusion complications (alloimmunization, iron overload, infections) and risk factors (sociodemographic, clinical, biological) for the occurrence of these complications were evaluated. Results: The median age of the patients was 28.5 years (5-59). The sex ratio (M/F) was 0.86. Homozygous sickle cell disease was more frequent (95.3%). The median follow-up time was 9.1 years (2-26). Simple transfusion was performed in 142 patients, exchange transfusion in 29 patients; 22 patients were on a transfusion program. The indications for transfusion were dominated by acute anemia (57.06%) and prolonged CVO (14%). Red blood cell concentrates were administered in 143 patients (93.46%). The median number of units of blood received per patient was 10 units (2 - 48). The frequency of alloimmunization was 16% and the most frequent alloantibodies were anti-rhesus (34.19%) and anti-Kell (23.67%). The prevalence of hepatitis C in transfused subjects was 1.33% and 1% in non-transfused subjects (p=0.64). The prevalence of HBV was 2% in transfused patients and 3% in non-transfused patients (p=0.45). HIV antibodies were not found in either the transfused or the non-transfused patients. Twelve patients (7.84%) had post-transfusion iron overload (ferritin level >1000 ng/ml). The higher the transfusion, the higher the ferritin level (strong positive correlation, r = 0.8). The number of packed red blood cells transfused was the only risk factor for alloimmunization (p=0.03) and post-transfusion iron overload (p=0.023). The frequency of blood transfusion was not related to the transmission of infectious. Conclusion: The management of sickle cell disease often requires blood transfusion to correct anemia or prevent certain complications. Despite the progress made in transfusion safety, this therapy still remains a risk for the recipient. The authors do not declare any conflict of interest