Biochemical Assessment of the Liver in SCD in a Tertiary Hospital in South-South, Nigeria

Background: Sickle cell disease (SCD) is often associated with liver disease. The constant state of haemolysis, multiple blood transfusion, viral hepatitis, hepatic sinusoidal congestion, haemosiderosis and cholestasis, are all conditions which may eventually evolve into liver disease. Sickle cell disease is a heterogeneous group of disorders that is usually associated with an autosomal recessive structural haemoglobin disorder. Biochemical abnormalities have been associated with SCD and it is usually more pronounced in vaso occlusive crises; an acute bone crisis and common painful complication of SCD, than in steady state.

Aim: The aim of the study was to assess some biochemical parameters in relation to SCD patients in our environment with a view to improving the monitoring and management of these patients.

Methodology: The study was a comparative hospital based research carried out at the University of Calabar Teaching Hospital (UCTH), Calabar, South-South Nigeria. Liver function tests were carried out on 60 SCA both in steady state and in crisis and also on 50 apparently healthy adults. The data collected were analyzed using statistical data for social sciences (SPSS) Version 22 for windows. Pearson linear correlation and simple inferential statistical methods were employed for data analysis, a P ≤ 0.05 was considered to be statistically significant.

Result: The serum concentrations of AST, ALT, ALP, LDH, Total and conjugated bilirubin were seen to be elevated in VOC compared to in steady state and with the apparently healthy control group. The AST/ALT ratio was also observed to be elevated in VOC as compared with the steady state and the control. Significant product moment correlation was observed in the biochemical parameters both in steady state and in VOC.

Conclusion: The findings of this study revealed marked changes in the biochemical parameters of the liver in VOC than in steady state. It will be recommended that routine evaluation and proper interpretation of liver enzymes is paramount in early detection of liver pathology in SCD.