The Relationship Between Cholelithiasis And Laboratory Indices Of Haemolysis In Nigerian Patients With Sickle Cell Anaemia

Abstract

The relationship between the occurrence of cholelithiasis (gall stones) and laboratory indices of haemolysis in sickle cell anaemia (Hbss), was examined by determining the level of foetal haemoglobin, steady state haematocrit, reticulocyte count and serum bilirubin, in sicklers with and without ultrasonographic evidence of cholelithiasis.



One hundred and forty-six (146) unselected, consecutive Hb ss patients, comprising 66 males and 80 females, aged between 5 and 30 years and attending both paediatric and adult sickle cell clinics of the Lagos University Teaching Hospital, Nigeria were studied. All the subjects were screened for gall stones by ultrasonography. Sickle cell anaemia patients without gall stones served as controls.



Cholelithiasis was diagnosed in 24 of the 146 subjects representing a prevalence rate of 16.4%. There were no significant differences in mean steady state haematocrit, foetal haemoglobin, serum bilirubin and reticulocyte counts between the test and control subjects.



Foetal haemoglobin, haematocrit, serum bilirubin and reticulocyte count are not associated risk factors for cholelithiasis in sickle cell anaemia patients (Hbss).

Nigerian Quarterly Journal of Hospital Medicine Vol.9, No.3 (1999) pp. 209-211