Related Experiment Video

Updated: Aug 1, 2025

A Precision Medicine Tool for Measurement and Monitoring of Hemoglobin S in Sickle Cell Disease Patients Receiving Transfusion Therapy
07:24

A Precision Medicine Tool for Measurement and Monitoring of Hemoglobin S in Sickle Cell Disease Patients Receiving Transfusion Therapy

1.8K

Evaluation of Homocysteine Status and its Correlation with Disease Severity in Individuals with Sickle Cell Anaemia

N I Ugwu1, P O Manafa2, S E Agina2

  • 1Department of Haematology and Immunology, Faculty of Basic Clinical Sciences, Ebonyi State University, Abakiliki, Ebonyi State, Nigeria.

West African Journal of Medicine
|April 29, 2023
PubMed

Insights

Individuals with sickle cell anaemia (SCA) have higher homocysteine levels and lower BMI. Higher homocysteine correlated negatively with BMI, suggesting potential links to disease severity.

Area of Science:

  • Hematology
  • Biochemistry
  • Genetics

Background:

  • Sickle cell anaemia (SCA) is a genetic blood disorder characterized by chronic inflammation and a hypercoagulable state.
  • Elevated homocysteine levels are implicated in various vascular and inflammatory conditions.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To evaluate serum homocysteine levels in individuals with SCA during a steady state.
  • To investigate the correlation between homocysteine levels, disease severity, and body mass index (BMI) in SCA patients.

Main Methods:

  • A cross-sectional study involving 90 participants: 30 with homozygous sickle cell (HbSS, SCA), 30 with sickle cell trait (HbAS), and 30 with normal adult haemoglobin (HbAA).
  • Serum homocysteine levels were quantified using the ELISA method.
  • Disease severity and BMI were calculated, and data were analyzed using SPSS software.

Main Results:

  • Mean serum homocysteine was significantly higher in HbSS individuals (26.2 ± 11.8 umol/l) compared to HbAA (17.9 ± 8.0 umol/l) and HbAS (18.9 ± 7.9 umol/l) (p<0.05).
  • Mean BMI was significantly lower in HbSS individuals (21.9 ± 2.8 kg/m2) compared to HbAS (23.7 ± 2.5 kg/m2) and HbAA (24.7 ± 2.4 kg/m2) (p<0.05).
  • A significant negative correlation was observed between homocysteine levels and BMI (r = -0.0258; p = 0.021), and between disease severity and BMI (r = -0.400; p = 0.028) in HbSS patients.

Conclusions:

  • Individuals with HbSS exhibit elevated serum homocysteine and reduced BMI compared to controls.
  • While the correlation between homocysteine and SCA disease severity was not statistically significant, a strong negative correlation with BMI was noted.
  • Further large-scale studies are recommended to elucidate the relationship between homocysteine and SCA severity, and to explore potential benefits of vitamin supplementation.
Abstract

Keywords:
Disease SeverityHomocysteineSickle cell Anaemia

More Related Videos

Characterization of Sickling During Controlled Automated Deoxygenation with Oxygen Gradient Ektacytometry08:23

Characterization of Sickling During Controlled Automated Deoxygenation with Oxygen Gradient Ektacytometry

Published on: November 5, 2019

9.9K
Continuous Manual Exchange Transfusion for Patients with Sickle Cell Disease: An Efficient Method to Avoid Iron Overload05:23

Continuous Manual Exchange Transfusion for Patients with Sickle Cell Disease: An Efficient Method to Avoid Iron Overload

Published on: March 14, 2017

19.6K

Related Concept Videos

Multiple Allele Traits01:49

Multiple Allele Traits

The Concept of Multiple Allelism
34.4K
Blood Studies for Cardiovascular System II: CRP, Hcy, and Cardiac Natriuretic Peptide Markers01:19

Blood Studies for Cardiovascular System II: CRP, Hcy, and Cardiac Natriuretic Peptide Markers

Cardiac biomarkers are critical in diagnosing, prognosing, and managing cardiovascular diseases. Routine measurement of specific biomarkers such as B-type natriuretic peptide (BNP), C-reactive protein (CRP), and homocysteine (Hcy) is common practice in clinical settings to evaluate heart function and predict cardiovascular events.
These markers indicate stress or strain on the heart muscle:
Natriuretic Peptides (BNP)
Cardiac myocytes produce these hormones in response to ventricular stretching...
129
Test for Homogeneity01:23

Test for Homogeneity

The goodness–of–fit test can be used to decide whether a population fits a given distribution, but it will not suffice to decide whether two populations follow the same unknown distribution. A different test, called the test for homogeneity, can be used to conclude whether two populations have the same distribution. To calculate the test statistic for a test for homogeneity, follow the same procedure as with the test of independence. The hypotheses for the test for homogeneity can...
2.0K
Serum Studies: Renal Function Tests01:24

Serum Studies: Renal Function Tests

Renal function tests are crucial for assessing kidney health, monitoring disease progression, and evaluating the kidneys' efficiency in waste elimination, fluid balance, and electrolyte regulation. These tests offer critical insights into kidney function, even though routine measurements may appear normal until there is a significant decline in the glomerular filtration rate or GFR. Typically, signs of kidney impairment only become evident when the GFR falls to about 50% of its normal level.
25
Hypertension III: Clinical Manifestations and Diagnostic Studies01:30

Hypertension III: Clinical Manifestations and Diagnostic Studies

Hypertension is asymptomatic and also referred to as the "silent killer" until it progresses to a severe stage or causes target organ disease. Patients may experience symptoms stemming from the strain on blood vessels and tissues in various organs or the heart's increased workload.Physical exams might show no abnormalities other than high blood pressure. Signs of vascular damage, when present, correspond to the organs supplied by the affected vessels, leading to target organ damage. For...
35
Chronic Kidney Disease II: Clinical Manifestations01:24

Chronic Kidney Disease II: Clinical Manifestations

Chronic Kidney Disease (CKD) progressively impairs multiple body systems due to the accumulation of uremic toxins, which disrupt cellular functions across various organs.Neurologic symptomsNeurologic symptoms often arise early in CKD, as uremic toxin buildup drives changes in cognitive and motor functions. Patients frequently experience fatigue, headache, confusion, difficulty concentrating, and, in severe cases, seizures. Peripheral neuropathy commonly manifests as burning sensations in the...
47