Pulmonary Function in Sickle Cell Disease: A Case–Control Study of Obstructive and Restrictive Patterns

Background: Sickle cell disease (SCD) is a chronic hemoglobinopathy that often leads to significant pulmonary complications, including obstructive and restrictive lung diseases. These issues contribute to serious health problems, especially in underserved tribal populations. Given that lung dysfunction in SCD can start early, timely screening and intervention are crucial. This study aimed to evaluate how common and severe these lung problems are in SCD patients and to see if they are linked to age, gender, and other factors. Materials and Methods: This 6-month observational case–control study enrolled 300 participants – 150 SCD patients and 150 healthy controls, all aged 5–35 years – from Shirpur, Maharashtra. Digital spirometry was used to measure key lung function parameters, and additional data on body mass index, age, gender, and symptoms were also collected. Results: SCD patients, particularly those between 11 and 20 years old, showed a significant reduction in spirometric parameters ( P < 0.0001), indicating both obstructive and restrictive lung impairments. While the forced expiratory volume in 1 s/forced vital capacity ratio did not change statistically, it showed a negative correlation with body size. Abnormal spirometry was more frequent in adolescents ( P = 0.013), and fatigue was the most common symptom. Conclusion: SCD notably impairs lung function in adolescents, underscoring the vital need for early spirometric screening. This suggests that gender- and age-specific interventions are essential for improving long-term health outcomes, especially in tribal communities.