EFFECT OF ZINC LEVELS ON ADULT STEADY STATE SICKLE CELL ANAEMIA PATIENTS IN AHMADU BELLO UNIVERSITY TEACHING HOSPITAL, ZARIA

Abstract

Introduction:Sickle cell anaemia (SCA)patients are predisposed to both macro and micronutrients deficiencies.These include proteins, vitamins (folic acid, A, C, E and D) and minerals such as iron, copper, magnesium and zinc. Zinc is critical to cellular metabolism, physical growth, immune-competence, reproductive function, integrity of intestinal mucosa and neuro-behavioural development. Aims and Objectives: To determine zinc levels and their relationships to clinical and laboratory parameters among steady state adult sickle cell anaemia patients. Subjects and Methods:It was a case control study using questionnaires, physical examination and laboratory investigations. One hundred and four participants of equal number (52 each of steady state adult SCA patients and controls) of age-sex matched participantswere recruited into this study. Full Blood Count by automated analyserand serum zinc estimation by spectrophotometry were done. Result: Total of 52 subjects(Females=33 and Males=19) and 52 controls (Females=33 and Males= 19) were used. The mean age of subjects and controls were 24.92 ± 6.18 yearsand 22.92 ± 4.85respectively with amean age at diagnosis of 3.9±5.5 years. The median age for puberty (females) in subjects and controls was 16 and 13.2years respectivelywhile puberty (males) was 16and13.0 years respectively for subjects and controls (p< 0.001 for both). The median number of admission per annum in SCA patients was 0.5, and transfusion rate was 32.1%.The prevalence of leg ulcer was 18.9% and was commoner in the males. The means ± SDof WBC Count (109/L), PCV (L/L), platelet count (109/L) and reticulocyte counts (%)for subjects and controls were 11.93±3.43vs 9.97±1.90 (p=0.325), 23.31±4.16vs 40.35±4.26 (p<0.001), 438.21±194.12vs 254.71 ± 68.70 (p=0.01), 8.37±3.32 vs 1.53 ± 0.73 (p<0.001)respectively. Mean zinc levels for subjects and controls were 14.86±3.38 and 17.00±6.76respectively (p=0.04). Correlation between zinc levels and both clinical and haematological variables showed no statistically significant relationship in the SCA patients. Conclusion: Although sickle cell anaemia patients have lower zinc levels compared to controls, majority of subjects in this study have normal to high Zinc levels. Zinc levels do not appear to have any effect on clinical and laboratory variables studied among the SCA subjects.