THE PREVALENCE OF AVASCULAR NECROSIS IN ADULTS WITH SICKLE CELL DISEASE IN KING FAHAD HOSPITAL.

Introduction: Sickle cell disease is the commonest genetic blood disorder. Every year, around 330,000 babies are born with inherited hemoglobin disorder, 83% of them have Sickle cell disease. Avascular necrosis is a serious complication threatening the quality of patients? lives. Objective: To study the prevalence of avascular necrosis in adult patients with sickle cell disease at King Fahad Hospital. Methods: A retrospective study carried on (220) sickle cell disease patients mainly from Madinah region in Saudi Arabia from 2010 to 2017.The data were collected from medical records and use of questionnaire format . Results: According to the results of this study most patients were males, aged between 26 and 40 years. Of 220 sickle cell anemia patients attended at King Fahad Hospital in a period of 7 years, (7.3%) had avascular necrosis. The majority of patients have a lower hemoglobin and hematocrit levels (7.0 - 10.4 g / dl and less than 40%, respectively). About 57.9% of patients take hydroxyurea. 86.1% have normal serum calcium levels . Conclusion: This study aimed to assess the prevalence of avascular necrosis in adult patients with sickle cell anemia at King Fahad Hospital. Of 220 sickle cell anemia patients attended at King Fahad Hospital in a period of 7 years, 16 (7.3%) had avascular necrosis. Also, we demonstrate relation between avascular necrosis and some risk factors like low hemoglobin and hematocrit levels, frequent blood transfusion, use of hydroxyurea and long-term use of high dose steroid.