title: Coagulation changes during the steady state in homozygous sickle-cell disease in Jamaica.
abstract: Coagulation studies were carried out in 117 Jamaicans with homozygous sickle-cell disease in the steady state, and 40 local controls. The patients had significantly higher factor-VIII levels, higher platelet counts, lower factor-V and plasminogen levels, shorter thrombin times and higher serum fibrinogen degradation products (FDP) than the control group. The low factor-V and plasminogen levels, and high FDP levels, might be explained by activation of the coagulation system and continuous clot lysis even in the absence of painful crisis. The high factor-VIII levels and short thrombin times found in these patients could not be explained.
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D000755:Anemia, Sickle Cell / Q000097:blood*; D001772:Blood Cell Count; D001777:Blood Coagulation; D004913:Erythrocytes, Abnormal; D005165:Factor V / Q000032:analysis; D005169:Factor VIII / Q000032:analysis; D005260:Female; D005338:Fibrin Fibrinogen Degradation Products / Q000032:analysis; D006720:Homozygote; D006801:Humans; D007563:Jamaica; D008297:Male; D010958:Plasminogen / Q000032:analysis; D012156:Reticulocytes; D013917:Thrombin / Q000032:analysis
chemical_list: D005338:Fibrin Fibrinogen Degradation Products; D005165:Factor V; D005169:Factor VIII; D010958:Plasminogen; D013917:Thrombin