Implication of serum calcium and parathyroid hormone for bone pain crisis in patients with sickle cell anaemia: A cross-sectional Study

Abstract

Objectives: Sickle cell anaemia is very common in tropical countries, and it is associated with severe bone pain crisis, which interferes with quality of life. The role of serum calcium and parathyroid hormone levels in the development of bone pains has not been fully explained. This study is designed to measure the serum level of calcium and parathyroid hormones in patients with sickle cell anaemia and compare them with healthy participants.

Methods: A cross-sectional study was conducted in a tertiary hospital where patients with sickle cell anaemia attending the children's outpatient clinic were recruited. A questionnaire was used to obtain vital information from all participants, and blood levels of calcium and parathyroid hormone were measured. The results were compared between patients with sickle cell anaemia and the control group.

Results: A total of 66 patients with sickle cell anaemia and 66 healthy control participants were recruited. The median (IQR) age at which sickle cell was diagnosed was 3 (1.9-7.3) years, and there were 14 (21%) patients who had other siblings living with sickle cell anaemia. Patients with sickle cell anaemia had lower levels of calcium (2.19 vs 2.32 mmol/L), p< 0.01, and higher levels of parathyroid hormone (14.3 vs 13.3 pg/ml); p= 0.01 than the healthy control participants.

Conclusions: The study showed that patients with sickle cell anaemia have lower serum calcium and higher parathyroid hormone levels. This may be associated with the bone pain they regularly experience