Comparative study of hypercoagulability change in steady state and during vaso-occlusive crisis among Sudanese patients living with sickle cell disease

Background: Sickle cell disease (SCD) is an inherited blood disorder that affects red blood cells. (SCD) is characterized by re- current vaso-occlusive crisis (VOC). Material and methods: This was a descriptive cross sectional study conducted through the period from July 2015 to July 2017 in which a total of seventy two blood specimens were collected in 'EDTA' and citrated vacutainers from Sudanese patients with SCD attending "Fath Elrhman Albasheer" Centre. Both sexes' with different ages were included. Among these samples 49 (68.1%) were in steady state while the remained 23 (31.9%) were in VOC. All samples were tested for coagulation profile Result: There was increase in fibrinogen and D-dimer levels in most patients 67% and 71%, respectively. Significant increase in D-dimers was observed in patients with (VOC) compared with steady state (P. value = 0.006). Protein S was significantly in- creased in males in comparison with females P. value = 0.017. The results of prothrombin time (PT), international normalized ratio (INR) and thrombin time (TT) were within normal range. Conclusion: Significant increase in levels of D-dimer during VOC indicating abnormal coagulation and fibrinolysis activation. Reduced levels of natural anticoagulants proteins C and S can be consider as predictive markers indicate hepatic dysfunction in patients with SCD. Keyword: SCD; VOC; hypercoagulability; Sudanese patients.