Related Experiment Video
Updated: Mar 10, 2026
Characterization of Sickling During Controlled Automated Deoxygenation with Oxygen Gradient Ektacytometry
Published on: November 5, 2019
Association between endothelial dysfunction and otoneurological symptoms in children with sickle cell disease
Mara Renata Rissatto-Lago1,2, Cristina Salles1, Fernando Gesteira Campos de Pinho1
1a Bahiana School of Medicine and Public Health , Salvador , Brazil.
Insights
Children with sickle cell disease (SCD) experience more otoneurological symptoms like vertigo. Endothelial dysfunction is linked to these symptoms and vaso-occlusive events in pediatric SCD patients.
Area of Science:
- Pediatric Hematology
- Vascular Biology
- Otolaryngology
Background:
- Sickle cell disease (SCD) is a genetic blood disorder.
- Endothelial dysfunction and otoneurological symptoms are potential complications in SCD.
- Vaso-occlusive phenomena are characteristic of SCD.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the association between endothelial dysfunction and otoneurological symptoms in children with SCD.
- To explore the link between endothelial dysfunction, otoneurological symptoms, and vaso-occlusive phenomena in pediatric SCD.
Main Methods:
- A cross-sectional study involving 54 children (6-19 years) with SCD (genotype SS) and healthy controls (genotype AA).
- Oto-neurological symptoms were assessed via questionnaires.
- Endothelial function was evaluated using flow-mediated dilation (FMD) of the brachial artery via Doppler ultrasound.
Main Results:
- Otoneurological symptoms, including tinnitus and vertigo, were significantly more prevalent in the SCD group (46.4%) compared to controls (15.4%).
- A negative correlation was found between FMD percentage and the duration of vertigo in SCD patients (r = -0.432, p = 0.022).
- Linear regression indicated that reduced FMD was associated with increased vertigo duration, and painful crises correlated with vertigo duration (r = 0.3, p = 0.04).
Conclusions:
- Vascular endothelial damage in the labyrinthine artery may contribute to otoneurological symptoms, such as vertigo, in SCD patients.
- The study confirms an association between endothelial dysfunction, otoneurological symptoms, and vaso-occlusive phenomena in children with sickle cell disease.
Objective:
To evaluate the association between endothelial dysfunction and otoneurological symptoms and vaso-occlusive phenomena in children with sickle cell disease (SCD).
Methods:
Cross-sectional study with 54 children, aged between 6 and19 years of age, of whom 28 had genotype SS and 26 apparently healthy (AA genotype) whose parents or guardians, or the children themselves, filled out a questionnaire designed to assess their otoneurological symptoms. All the individuals were submitted assessment of endothelial function by flow-mediated dilation (FMD) percentage with reactive hyperemia of brachial artery Doppler.
Results:
Otoneurological symptoms (tinnitus and/or vertigo) predominated in the SCD group (46.4 vs. 15.4%; p = 0.006). A negative correlation was observed between FMD percentage and time of evolution of vertigo SCD (r = -0.432; p = 0.022) and the linear regression analysis demonstrated that for every reduction in FMD percentage there was an increase in time of evolution of vertigo of 1.79 months (β = -1.79; p = 0.022). The positive correlation between episodes of painful crisis and time of evolution of vertigo (r = 0.3; p = 0.04).
Discussion:
The presence of vascular endothelial damage in the labyrinthine artery in patients with SCD is capable of compromising the semicircular canals, shown by clinical expression of otoneurological symptoms, such as vertigo. In the present study, an association was observed between endothelial dysfunction with otoneurological symptoms and otoneurological symptoms and vaso-occlusive phenomena in SCD.
Related Concept Videos
01:03Olfactory Receptors: Location and Structure
01:24Chronic Kidney Disease II: Clinical Manifestations
01:21Peripheral Arterial Disease II: Clinical Manifestations and Diagnostic Evaluation