title: Hematological differences between patients with different subtypes of sickle cell disease on hydroxyurea treatment.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  Sickle cell anemia and the interaction S/Beta thalassemia differ in hematological values due to microcytosis and hypochromia caused by the thalassemic mutation. The clinical benefit of long-term hydroxyurea treatment is undeniable in sickle cell disease with monitoring of the biological action of the drug being by the complete blood count. The objective of this work is to compare changes in some of the erythrocytic indexes between S/Beta thalassemia and sickle cell anemia patients on long-term hydroxyurea treatment.
  
  
  METHODS
  The values of erythrocyte indexes (mean corpuscular volume and mean corpuscular hemoglobin) were compared in a retrospective study of two groups of patients (Sickle cell anemia and S/Beta thalassemia) on hydroxyurea treatment over a mean of six years.
  
  
  RESULTS
  The quantitative values of the two parameters differed between the groups. Increases in mean corpuscular volume and reductions in mean corpuscular hemoglobin delay longer in S/Beta thalassemia patients (p-value = 0.018).
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Hematological changes are some of the beneficial effects of hydroxyurea in sickle cell disease as cellular hydration increases and the hemoglobin S concentration is reduced. The complete blood count is the best test to monitor changes, but the interpretation of the results in S/Beta thalassemia should be different.
authors: Hospital das Clínicas da Faculdade de Medicina de Ribeirão Preto, Universidade de São Paulo - USP, Ribeirão Preto, SP, Brazil.
authors: Fabia
authors: F
authors: Neves
authors: Osvaldo Alves
authors: OA
authors: Menezes Neto
authors: Larissa Bueno
authors: LB
authors: Polis
authors: Sarah Cristina
authors: SC
authors: Bassi
authors: Denise Menezes
authors: DM
authors: Brunetta
authors: Ana Cristina
authors: AC
authors: Silva-Pinto
authors: Ivan Lucena
authors: IL
authors: Angulo
keywords: Anemia, sickle cell; Erythrocyte indices; Hemoglobinopathies; Hydroxyurea