We have investigated renal function and markers of hemolysis in a cohort of 424 adult African-British patients with sickle cell disease. While significant associations were found in HbSS and HbSb 0 (sickle cell anemia) patients with and without controlling for covariates between hemolytic markers and albuminuria, the associations were not significant in patients with HbSC. Estimated glomerular filtration rate, a marker of renal function, correlated significantly with reticulocyte count and bilirubin. Alpha thalassemia, present in 34% of the sickle cell anaemia patients, had a protective effect against albuminuria in this group. Altogether, the incidence of hyperfiltration was 71% and microalbuminuria 37%, making nephropathy a common complication of sickle cell anemia. Haematologica 2012;97(2):201-205. doi:10.3324/haematol.2011 This is an open-access paper.
ABSTRACTexcluded from the study group if they had a history of diabetes mellitus, HIV infection, malignancy or another cause of chronic kidney disease (CKD) or if they were on a blood transfusion program. Seventeen patients were on ACE (angiotensin converting enzyme) inhibitor or ARB (angiotensin II receptor blocker) therapy; these patients were also excluded from the study. Since 2006, urinary albumin/creatinine ratio (ACR) has been a routine measurement for patients attending the specialist clinic. All patients were routinely genotyped for α thalassemia using a PCR-based methodology on DNA extracted from peripheral blood.17
ObjectiveTo compare patient-reported, health-related quality of life (QoL) for children with serious congenital heart defects (CHDs) and unaffected classmates and to investigate the demographic and clinical factors influencing QoL.DesignRetrospective cohort study.SettingUK National Health Service.PatientsUK-wide cohort of children with serious CHDs aged 10–14 years requiring cardiac intervention in the first year of life in one of 17 UK paediatric cardiac surgical centres operating during 1992–1995. A comparison group of classmates of similar age and sex was recruited.Main outcome measuresChild self-report of health-related QoL scores (Pediatric Quality of Life Inventory, PedsQL) and parental report of schooling and social activities.ResultsQuestionnaires were completed by 477 children with CHDs (56% boys; mean age 12.1 (SD 1.0) years) and 464 classmates (55%; 12.0 (SD 1.1) years). Children with CHDs rated QoL significantly lower than classmates (CHDs: median 78.3 (IQR 65.0–88.6); classmates: 88.0 (80.2–94.6)) and scored lower on physical (CHDs: 84.4; classmates: 93.8; difference 9.4 (7.8 to 10.9)) and psychosocial functioning subscales (CHDs: 76.7, classmates: 85.0; difference 8.3 (6.0 to 10.6)). Cardiac interventions, school absence, regular medications and non-cardiac comorbidities were independently associated with reduced QoL. Participation in sport positively influenced QoL and was associated with higher psychosocial functioning scores.ConclusionsChildren with serious CHDs experience lower QoL than unaffected classmates. This appears related to the burden of clinical intervention rather than underlying cardiac diagnosis. Participation in sports activities is positively associated with increased emotional well-being. Child self-report measures of QoL would be a valuable addition to clinical outcome audit in this age group.
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