Expression of Serum Secretory Phospholipase A2 and Its Association with Clinical Characteristics in Sickle Cell Anaemia Patient: A Case-Control Study in Ghana

Abstract

Background: Secretory phospholipase A2 (sPLA2) has been implicated in the pathogenesis and complications of SCA. However, its pathophysiology is not fully understood. This study determined the levels of sPLA2 in SCA patients and its association with different clinical characteristics.

Materials and Methods: This case-control study recruited a total of 90 participants, 45 SCA patients, and 45 control subjects. Venous blood samples and serum were used to estimate full blood count (FBC) and sPLA2. The collected data was organized in Microsoft Excel and analyzed with Statistical Package for the Social Sciences (SPSS version 26). Statistical significance was set at P<0.05.

Results: The mean values of haematological indices showed significant differences between the control and sickle cell anaemia groups: RBC [p<0.001], Hb [p<0.001], HCT [p<0.001], WBC [p<0.001], MCV [p<0.001], RDW-SD [p<0.005], and PLT [p<0.001]. The mean sPLA2 concentration was significantly higher in SCA cases than in the control group [(60.67±19.43) µg/L vs. (23.18±4.32) µg/L; p < 0.001]. The sPLA2 concentrations between SCA patients concerning the use of Hydroxyurea treatment showed no significant differences [p=0.581].

Conclusion: Secretory phospholipase A2 was elevated in SCA patients. Those who presented with vaso-occlusive recorded the highest concentrations of sPLA2. White blood cell count, mean cell haemoglobin concentration, Red Cell Distribution width-standard deviation, and platelets were significantly elevated in SCA, whereas RBC, Hb, and HCT were low. RDW-SD showed significant variations in the different clinical presentations of SCA. RDW-SD and sPLA2 levels revealed a negative correlation in SCA.