Risk factors for conjunctival and retinal vessel alterations in sickle cell disease.
OBJECTIVE
The aim of this study was to clarify whether the clinical, laboratory and genetic aspects of sickle cell disease (SCD) influence the occurrence of vessel alterations in the conjunctiva and retina.


METHODS
A total of 102 SCD patients underwent biomicroscopical and retinal examination, in addition to evaluations of haemoglobin (Hb) and haematocrit (Ht) levels, fetal haemoglobin (HbF) estimations, serum creatinine and albuminuria levels, glomerular filtration rate (GFR) values, phenotypes, beta-globin gene haplotypes and alpha-thalassaemia. The relationship between ocular vessel alterations and clinical, laboratory and genetic features were evaluated using chi-squared or Fisher tests and logistic regression analysis. In 13 patients on enalapril treatment, a second ophthalmological evaluation was performed after a 12-month period to evaluate the longitudinal effect of the drug on ocular vessels.


RESULTS
Conjunctival vessel alteration (CVA) was not influenced by age, gender, HbF estimation, serum creatinine and albuminuria levels, GFR values, beta-globin gene haplotypes or alpha-thalassaemia. However, increased frequencies of CVA were found in patients with Hb </= 9.0 g/dl, Ht </= 26.7% and sickle cell anaemia (SS) phenotype. Retinal vessel alteration (RVA) was identified only in patients aged 17 years or older. Enalapril did not demonstrate ocular vessel amelioration after 12-months of daily use.


CONCLUSIONS
The results indicate that lower Hb and Ht levels and SS phenotype are risk factors for CVA, and age over 17 years may be risk factors for RVA in SCD patients.
Lima
Carmen S P
CS
Department of Internal Medicine, Faculty of Medical Sciences, State University of Campinas, Campinas, São Paulo, Brazil.
Rocha
Eduardo M
EM
Silva
Nadia M
NM
Sonatti
Maria F
MF
Costa
Fernando F
FF
Saad
Sara T O
ST
D000328:Adult; D000419:Albuminuria / Q000378:metabolism; D000755:Anemia, Sickle Cell / Q000097:blood / Q000235:genetics / Q000503:physiopathology*; D003228:Conjunctiva / Q000098:blood supply*; D003404:Creatinine / Q000097:blood; D005260:Female; D005319:Fetal Hemoglobin / Q000032:analysis; D005919:Glomerular Filtration Rate; D006400:Hematocrit; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D012171:Retinal Vessels / Q000503:physiopathology*; D012307:Risk Factors; D017086:beta-Thalassemia / Q000097:blood
D005319:Fetal Hemoglobin; D003404:Creatinine