Sickle Cell Disease Pain and Zinc, Any Link? A Case-Control Study among Patients With Sickle Cell Disease In Korle-Bu

zinc trace element sickle cell disease pain atomic absorption spectroscopy

Authors

  • Dr. GK Ababio University of Ghana Medical School, Medical Biochemistry, Korle-Bu, Accra, , Ghana https://orcid.org/0000-0001-9860-2058
  • Dr. Ababio Boateng University of Ghana Medical School, Medical Biochemistry, Korle-Bu, Accra, , Ghana
  • Dr. EV Asare Ghana Institute of Clinical Genetics (sickle cell clinic), Korle-Bu, Accra, , Ghana
  • Mr. R Reeks University of Ghana Medical School, Medical Biochemistry, Korle-Bu, Accra, , Ghana
  • Dr. Dongdem University of Health and Allied Health Sciences, Epidemiology & Biostatistics, Fred N. Binka School of Public Health, Ho, Volta Region, , Ghana
Vol. 12 No. 08 (2024)
Medical Sciences and Pharmacy
August 1, 2024

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Background: Over some few decades, markers of pain have been studied, of which some trace elements are of no exception. Yet, there is paucity of data on trace elements in SCD pain. Here, zinc levels and its relation to SCD vaso-occlusive pain was shown.

Aim: To determine [zinc] and its relation to pain in sickle cell disease patients.

Methodology: The case-control study was located at the Ghana Institute of Clinical Genetics (sickle cell clinic). After obtaining ethical clearance from College of Health Sciences (CHS-Et/M.1-P5.12/2023-2024), a validated pain assessment questionnaires were used for data collection. Ten (10) mls of blood was collected, six (6) mL was placed in a serum separating tube (SST) for the determination of zinc and four (4) mL into EDTA tube for full blood count and Hemoglobinopathy on cellulose acetate electrophoresis. The data analysis was done using the Statistical Package for the Social Science (SPSS) version 21 and Microsoft Excel 2016.

Results: Average zinc levels for the entire SCD VOC, was 2.569±1.073(39) and this was relatively low during comparison. [Zn] in SCD subjects who consume alcohol yielded p – value of 0.0001 while in patients experiencing VOC had a p-value = 0.000. The odds ratio for zinc exposure seemed to have protective effect on sickle cell disease either in steady state or vaso-occlusive state. [Zn] stratifications also related statistically to blood pressure readings, SCD pain, hemoglobin, red blood cells, white blood cells, platelets and body mass index. Conclusion: The average [Zn] in SCD individuals experiencing VOC was relatively low (p-value = 0.000