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Updated: Oct 24, 2025
A Precision Medicine Tool for Measurement and Monitoring of Hemoglobin S in Sickle Cell Disease Patients Receiving Transfusion Therapy
Plasma Lipids and Lipoproteins in Sickle Cell Disease Patients in the Northern West Bank, Palestine
Fekri Samarah1, Mahmoud A Srour2, Kamal Dumaidi1
1Department of Medical Laboratory Sciences, Faculty of Allied Health Sciences, Arab American University, State of Palestine.
Insights
Sickle cell disease (SCD) is linked to altered lipid profiles, with lower cholesterol and HDL-C in patients compared to controls. These lipid changes may contribute to cardiovascular disease risk in SCD patients.
Area of Science:
- Biochemistry
- Hematology
- Cardiovascular Medicine
Background:
- Lipid metabolism alterations are observed in red blood cell genetic disorders.
- Defects in erythrocyte and plasma lipids may elevate cardiovascular disease risk.
- This study investigates the link between sickle cell disease (SCD) severity and lipid profile changes.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the relationship between the severity of anemia in sickle cell disease (SCD) and alterations in lipid profiles.
- To compare lipid profiles of SCD patients with sickle cell anemia (SS), sickle β-thalassemia (ST), sickle cell trait (AS), and healthy controls (AA).
Main Methods:
- Studied 151 SCD patients (SS, ST, AS) and 160 healthy controls (AA).
- Measured total cholesterol (TC), triglyceride (TG), and high-density lipoprotein cholesterol (HDL-C) using enzymatic methods.
Main Results:
- SS and ST patients showed significantly lower total cholesterol and LDL-C compared to AS individuals and AA controls.
- HDL-C was significantly lower in SS and ST patients compared to AS individuals, but higher in SS/ST males and AS individuals compared to AA controls.
- Triglyceride levels varied significantly between patient groups and sexes, with SS females showing lower levels than all other groups.
Conclusions:
- Sickle cell disease significantly affects plasma lipid profiles, particularly cholesterol levels.
- Further research is needed to understand how altered lipid profiles contribute to SCD severity and clinical complications.
Background:
Lipid metabolism may be altered in red cell genetic disorders. The erythrocyte and plasma lipids are defected which may increase the risk of cardiovascular disease. In the present study, we hypothesized a possible link between severity of anemia and altered lipid profile in SCD.
Methods:
A total of 151 SCD patients, including 62 patients with sickle cell anemia (SS), 54 patients with sickle β-thalassemia (ST), and 35 individuals with sickle cell trait (AS), were studied. The control group consisted of 160 healthy individuals. Total cholesterol (TC), triglyceride (TG), and high-density lipoprotein cholesterol (HDL-C) were enzymatically measured.
Results:
Total cholesterol and LDL-C were significantly lower (P value < 0.001) in SS and ST patients compared to AS individuals and AA controls. However, LDL-C was significantly lower in AS individuals (both males and female) compared to AA controls (P value < 0.001). The HDL-C in SS and ST patients (both males and females) was significantly lower than that in AS individuals (P value < 0.001). In addition, the HDL-C was significantly higher in SS and ST males and AS (males and females) compared to AA controls (P value < 0.001). The HDL-C was also significantly higher in SS males (P value < 0.001) and females (P value < 0.05) compared to ST patients. The HDL-C was significantly higher in AS individuals (P value < 0.001) compared to AA controls. The triglycerides in SS males was significantly lower than that in ST patients (P value < 0.001), but there was no significant difference when compared to AS individuals and AA controls. In contrast, triglycerides in SS females were significantly lower than those in ST (P value < 0.05), AS (P value < 0.001), and AA controls (P value < 0.001). In males of ST patients, triglycerides were significantly higher than those observed in AS males and AA males (P value < 0.001). In contrast, females of ST patients have a significantly lower triglycerides compared to AS and AA females (P value < 0.001).
Conclusions:
In SCD, the plasma is affected in some way, especially the plasma cholesterol that was investigated in this study. Further prospective studies should examine the contribution of an altered lipid profile to the severity and clinical complications in SCD patients.
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