Socio-Demographic Characteristics and Clinical profile in Sickle Cell Disease Patients

Sickle cell disease (SCD) is a significant public health issue in Nepal, predominantly affecting the Tharu community in the Mid-Western and Sudurpaschim province. This study was design to understand the socio-demographic characteristics and symptoms of SCD patients attending the health camp conducted by Seti Provincial Hospital in Sudurpashchim Province, Nepal.

This study was cross-sectional study conducted at Sudurpashchim Province of Nepal visiting in Seti provincial Hospital during the period of free health camp organized by Hospital. After ethical clearance, patients were enrolled based on inclusion and exclusion criteria, and their demographic, epidemiological, and clinical profiles were recorded using a structured questionnaire.

Among 119 patients with SCD, the mean age was 22.58 years, with a majority (58.8%) being female. Most patients (45.37%) belonged to the upper lower socioeconomic class. The most common symptom was musculoskeletal pain, weakness, and fever (30.5%), followed by jaundice, chest pain, and vertigo (21.84%). Additionally, 15.96% experienced weakness, nausea, breathing difficulties, and fever; 12.60% reported weight loss, low hemoglobin, and chest pain; 10.08% had backache, joint pain, fever, and headache; and 9.24% experienced knee pain, fever, anemia, and vertigo.

SCD is seen in younger patients in Sudurpashchim Province, especially Kailali and Kanchanpur Districts with Tharu communities are more affected. Major systemic manifestations of SCD include pain crisis, hemolytic crisis, acute chest syndrome, hepatopathy and AVN of hip. The government of Nepal should implement policies focus for treatment and pain management within the current health system, to minimize, control, and prevent the high burden of SCD in the Tharu communities.