Study Serum Visfatin Level in Steady State of Sickle Cell Patients and Association with Frequency of Vaso-Occlusive Crises in Both Adults and Children

Background: Sickle cell anemia (SCA) is a known hematological disorder that arises from a single point mutation in codon 6 of the β-globin gene that results in a glutamic acid to valine substitution. Objective: This study aimed to (i) investigate the role of visfatin, as a marker of inflammation in SCA patients, (ii) evaluate the association between serum visfatin level in SCA patients and the frequency of vaso-occlusive crises, and (iii) to find the possible usage of these markers as a predictive index for vaso-occlusive crises occurrence. Study correlations between visfatin with different hemolysis and inflammation. Materials and Methods: The total number of participants are 100 including 35 patients with painful crisis, 35 patients with steady state, and 30 healthy control group; all of the patients and healthy control group were men, in addition, their ages ranged from 3 to 55 years were evaluated with respect to serum visfatin levels by means of enzyme linked immune sorbent assay. Results: The results showed there have been significant differences in concentrations of Ferritin, visfatin, and lactate dehydrogenase, in SCA patients (painful crisis, steady state) in comparison with the control group for both adults and children. No significant differences in body mass index were observed between SCA patients and the control group for both adults and children. Conclusion: SCA patients with the painful crisis have significant correlation between the combination of visfatin and LDH and that of visfatin and ferritin.