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Significance of platelet activation in sickle cell anaemia
Abstract
Background: There is increasing evidence suggesting the contribution of platelets in the vaso-occlusive phenomena found in sickle cell anaemia. This study is aimed at using simple, inexpensive parameters to determine the role of platelets in the steady state and vaso-occlusive crisis state of Nigerian sickle cell anaemia patients.
Methods: The circulating platelet aggregate (CPA) ratio, platelet factor-3 availability (PF-3) and platelet counts of 60 adult Nigerian sickle cell anaemia patients were studied.
Results: The CPA ratio in the sickle cell anaemia (SCA) patients in steady state (SS) was 0.93 ± 0.05, 0.89 ± 0.04 during vaso-occlusive crisis (VOC) and 0.98 ± 0.02 in the control group (C). The values in the vaso-occlusive crisis and in steady state were significantly lower than in the control group (P<0.05). PF3 availability in steady state and vaso-occlusive crisis were 29.7 ± 4.0 secs and 28.4 ± secs respectively. The times are significantly shorter when compared with the control group with a time of 36.2 ± 4.3 secs (P<0.05). There was however no significant difference between the two sickle cell groups. Platelet count was significantly raised in the steady state patients 224.3 ± 46.3 x 109/L when compared with controls of 196.6 ± 39.3 x 109/L (P<0.05). There was a significant fall during VOC to 140.6 ± 36.3 x 109/L (P<0.05). The difference between the two sickle cell groups is significant (P<0.05).
Conclusion: This study indicates varying degrees of partial activation of platelets invivo in the steady state and vaso-occlusive crisis state of sickle cell anaemia. It support's a contribution of platelet to the vascular occlusion that underlies much of the morbidity in the disease.
Keywords: platelet activation, sickle cell anaemia
Nigerian Journal of Medicine Vol. 15(2) 2006: 148-150
Methods: The circulating platelet aggregate (CPA) ratio, platelet factor-3 availability (PF-3) and platelet counts of 60 adult Nigerian sickle cell anaemia patients were studied.
Results: The CPA ratio in the sickle cell anaemia (SCA) patients in steady state (SS) was 0.93 ± 0.05, 0.89 ± 0.04 during vaso-occlusive crisis (VOC) and 0.98 ± 0.02 in the control group (C). The values in the vaso-occlusive crisis and in steady state were significantly lower than in the control group (P<0.05). PF3 availability in steady state and vaso-occlusive crisis were 29.7 ± 4.0 secs and 28.4 ± secs respectively. The times are significantly shorter when compared with the control group with a time of 36.2 ± 4.3 secs (P<0.05). There was however no significant difference between the two sickle cell groups. Platelet count was significantly raised in the steady state patients 224.3 ± 46.3 x 109/L when compared with controls of 196.6 ± 39.3 x 109/L (P<0.05). There was a significant fall during VOC to 140.6 ± 36.3 x 109/L (P<0.05). The difference between the two sickle cell groups is significant (P<0.05).
Conclusion: This study indicates varying degrees of partial activation of platelets invivo in the steady state and vaso-occlusive crisis state of sickle cell anaemia. It support's a contribution of platelet to the vascular occlusion that underlies much of the morbidity in the disease.
Keywords: platelet activation, sickle cell anaemia
Nigerian Journal of Medicine Vol. 15(2) 2006: 148-150
