Key result
Frequent sickle cell crises are linked to ~44% higher blood viscosity and impaired parasympathetic activity.
Why the study?
It is unclear whether differences in autonomic nervous system activity are detectable during steady state in sickle cell anemia patients with mild versus severe disease defined by pain crisis frequency.
Are autonomic nervous system activity, blood viscosity, and inflammation altered in patients with severe sickle cell anemia compared to those with mild disease and healthy controls?
Comparison
Patients with more frequent pain crises versus patients with milder disease and healthy volunteers
Design
Cross-sectional study
Authors
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Lower parasympathetic activity and higher viscosity associate with frequent crises; leaves open autonomic or rheological targets for prevention.
Cross-Sectional (n=59)
No
Are autonomic nervous system activity, blood viscosity, and inflammation altered in patients with severe sickle cell anemia compared to those with mild disease and healthy controls?
Absolute Event Rate: 5.76% vs 4%
p-value: p=<0.05
Patients with sickle cell anemia and frequent pain crises exhibit higher blood viscosity and potentially impaired autonomic nervous system activity compared to those with milder disease.
Nébor et al. (2011) conducted a cross-sectional in Sickle cell anemia (n=59). Frequent pain crises (≥3 crises within previous year) vs. Infrequent pain crises (0 crises within previous year) was evaluated on Blood viscosity at 46 s-1 (mPa/s) (p=<0.05). Sickle cell anemia patients with frequent pain crises exhibited significantly higher blood viscosity and impaired parasympathetic activity compared to those with infrequent crises, though the autonomic differences were age-dependent.
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