Biochemical estimation of erythrocyte and plasma electrolytes, urea and creatinine as an index of kidney function of sickle cell disease patients in Edo State, Nigeria

Erythrocyte sodium (Na+), potassium (K+) as well as plasma Na+, K+, chloride (C-) bicarbonate (HCO3-), urea and creatinine concentrations were determined in forty patients of age range (15 – 25years) with sickle cell disease (SCD, HbSS), all of whom were asymptomatic and thirteen apparently healthy subjects of same age range, who have no evidence of any haemoglobinopathy. Analysis of the results showed a decreased erythrocyte K+ (78.13±5.31mmol/L) and increased erythrocyte Na+ (14.58± 6.73mmol/L) levels in SCD patients compared to the control (HbAA: 79.35±8.25; 11.59±4.04mmol/L respectively). These differences were however not significant (p≥0.05) but significant when compared to HbAS (p≤0.05). Plasma K+ (4.31±0.27mmol/L) increased, while Na+ (137.40±3.00mmol/L) and HCO3- (16.95±2.57mmol/L) concentrations decreased in SCD patients when compared to control (3.80±0.30; 139.94±2.44; 21.88±1.54mmol/L) respectively. These differences were significant (p≤0.05). However, there was no significant change in the plasma levels of Cl- in all the groups (p≥0.05). Plasma, Urea and Creatinine concentrations were also elevated in SCD patients (20.78±2.90; 1.45±0.47mg/dl respectively) than the control subjects (18.47±2.87; 0.92±0.30mg/dl respectively, p≤0.05). KEY WORDS: SCD, Kidney function, Edo State, Nigeria. Global Jnl of Pure and Applied Sciences Vol.10(4) 2004: 571-575