Serum copeptin and cortisol do not accurately predict sickle cell anaemia vaso-occlusive crisis as C-reactive protein.
OBJECTIVE
This study assessed the diagnostic performance and prognostic properties of C-reactive protein (CRP), copeptin and cortisol in individuals with sickle cell anaemia (SCA).


METHODS
Prospective case-control study.


METHODS
Sixty consecutive SCA subjects (18-40 years) comprising 30 subjects in the steady state and 30 subjects in vaso-occlusive crisis (VOC) were recruited into this study. Thirty (30) apparently healthy individuals with HbAA genotype served as controls. ELISA was used for the determination of serum levels of copeptin, CRP and cortisol. Data obtained were statistically analyzed using the Student's t-test and Mann Whitney U as appropriate and P<0.05 was considered significant.


RESULTS
SCA subjects in VOC had significantly lower copeptin level and significantly higher CRP level compared with controls. However, serum levels of copeptin, cortisol and CRP were significantly higher in SCA subjects in VOC compared with SCA subjects in steady state. Furthermore, CRP had the widest Area under the ROC curve (AUROC) than copeptin and cortisol. No significant difference was observed in the levels of copeptin, CRP and cortisol when SCA subjects in VOC who were hospitalized for less ≤ 5 days were compared with subjects who had longer stays.


CONCLUSIONS
It could be concluded that C-reactive protein has a superior diagnostic performance for vaso-occlusive crisis in individuals with sickle cell anaemia and that C-reactive protein, cortisol and copeptin are not good prognostic markers in SCA subjects in vaso-occlusive crisis.
Department of Chemical Pathology, University of Ibadan/University College Hospital, Ibadan, Nigeria.
Kehinde Sola
KS
Akinlade
Adedeji David
AD
Atere
John Ayodele
JA
Olaniyi
Sheu Kadiri
SK
Rahamon
Christiana Odunayo
CO
Adewale
D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D000755:Anemia, Sickle Cell / Q000097:blood* / Q000473:pathology; D019540:Area Under Curve; D015415:Biomarkers / Q000097:blood; D002097:C-Reactive Protein / Q000378:metabolism*; D016022:Case-Control Studies; D006020:Glycopeptides / Q000097:blood*; D006801:Humans; D006854:Hydrocortisone / Q000097:blood*; D011379:Prognosis; D011446:Prospective Studies; D012372:ROC Curve; D055815:Young Adult
D015415:Biomarkers; D006020:Glycopeptides; C048197:copeptins; D002097:C-Reactive Protein; D006854:Hydrocortisone