title: Avascular necrosis of the femoral head in sickle cell disease patients.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  Avascular necrosis of the femoral head (ANFH) has been described as a frequent outcome in patients with sickle cell disease (SCD). The objective of the current report is to present the prevalence of ANFH in patients under the age of 21 suffering from SCD as well as discuss some possible associated risk factors.
  
  
  METHODS
  A cross-sectional study was carried out in a group of 100 patients. Clinical, demographic variables and risk factors were investigated. Seventy-two patients had their data completely analyzed. Eight patients were found to be affected and comprise the study group while the other 64 patients comprised the comparison group.
  
  
  RESULTS
  The prevalence of ANFH was 8 out of 72 (11.1%). Age (p=0.042), weight (p=0.04) and hemoglobin levels (0.048) were associated with ANFH. Correlations with time from diagnosis (p=0.14), ulcers (p=0.013), ferritin levels (p=0.07) and a family history of thrombosis were near-significant.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  The attention of physicians treating SCD patients must also be drawn to the possibility of ANFH in order to prevent or avoid this disastrous complication, especially in younger patients presenting with frequent hemolytic crises.
authors.affiliation: Bahian School of Medicine and Public Health, Brazil. malmeidamatos@ig.com.br
authors.forename: Marcos Almeida
authors.initials: MA
authors.lastname: Matos
authors.forename: Luanne Lisle
authors.initials: LL
authors.lastname: dos Santos Silva
authors.forename: Rony
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: Brito Fernandes
authors.forename: Cristiane
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Dias Malheiros
authors.forename: Bruno Vieira
authors.initials: BV
authors.lastname: Pinto da Silva
mesh_terms: D000293:Adolescent; D000367:Age Factors; D000755:Anemia, Sickle Cell / Q000453:epidemiology*; D002648:Child; D015897:Comorbidity; D003430:Cross-Sectional Studies; D005260:Female; D005271:Femur Head Necrosis / Q000453:epidemiology*; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D015995:Prevalence; D012307:Risk Factors; D055815:Young Adult