Moshi Belinda Nestory, Philipo Erick G, Kileo Nancy F, Matobo Joseph, Yondu Emili, Ikunda Dionis, Kandonga Daniel, Luhulla Koga M, Kilonzi Manase
School of Pharmacy, The Muhimbili University of Health and Allied Sciences, P.O. Box 65013, Dar es Salaam, Tanzania.
School of Diagnostic Medicine, The Muhimbili University of Health and Allied Sciences, P.O. Box 65001, Dar es Salaam, Tanzania.
Adv Hematol. 2024 Mar 19;2024:7950925. doi: 10.1155/2024/7950925. eCollection 2024.
Sickle cell disease (SCD) is an inherited blood disorder that leads to a variety of complications, including stroke. The use of hydroxyurea (HU) is reported to lessen the frequency and burden of stroke in SCD patients. However, less is known about the prevalence of stroke in SCD patients pre- and during the use of HU in sub-Saharan African (SSA) countries. Therefore, the study assessed stroke prevalence before and during uses of hydroxyurea among SCD patients in Tanzania. A hospital-based descriptive cross-sectional study was conducted at the sickle cell clinics in Dar es Salaam, Tanzania, from April 2023 to May 2023. A total of 228 participants were recruited, and data on demographic and clinical characteristics, HU use, and history of stroke were collected using a checklist from the respective patients' medical records and verbal communication with the patients or caregivers. Data analysis was done using SPSS software version 25, and findings are summarized using frequency and percentages. Out of 228 enrolled SCD patients, 124 (54.4%) were females, 109 (47.8%) were aged between 6 and 12 years, 226 (99.1%) were not married, 181 (79.4%) had primary education, and 209 (95%) were unemployed. The prevalence of stroke pre-HU use was 28 (12.3%) and 6 (2.6%) after starting using HU. Out of 6 with stroke after starting using HU, 3 (50%) had a history of stroke pre-HU uses. The study showed that the prevalence of stroke among SCD patients is significantly reduced after HU use. The findings suggest the need for stakeholders to implement measures to ensure eligible SCD patients are kept on HU.
镰状细胞病（SCD）是一种遗传性血液疾病，会引发包括中风在内的多种并发症。据报道，使用羟基脲（HU）可降低SCD患者中风的发生频率和负担。然而，在撒哈拉以南非洲（SSA）国家，对于SCD患者在使用HU之前和使用期间中风的患病率了解较少。因此，该研究评估了坦桑尼亚SCD患者在使用羟基脲之前和期间的中风患病率。2023年4月至2023年5月，在坦桑尼亚达累斯萨拉姆的镰状细胞诊所进行了一项基于医院的描述性横断面研究。共招募了228名参与者，使用来自各自患者病历的清单以及与患者或护理人员的口头交流，收集了有关人口统计学和临床特征、HU使用情况以及中风病史的数据。使用SPSS 25版软件进行数据分析，并使用频率和百分比对结果进行总结。在228名登记的SCD患者中，124名（54.4%）为女性，109名（47.8%）年龄在6至12岁之间，226名（99.1%）未婚，181名（79.4%）接受过小学教育，209名（95%）失业。使用HU之前中风的患病率为28例（12.3%），开始使用HU之后为6例（2.6%）。在开始使用HU后中风的6例患者中，3例（50%）在使用HU之前有中风病史。该研究表明，SCD患者在使用HU后中风的患病率显著降低。研究结果表明，利益相关者需要采取措施，确保符合条件的SCD患者持续使用HU。
