Multidimensional Predictors of Disease Severity and Health Outcomes in Patients with Sickle Cell Disease: A Data-Driven Clinical Insight.

OBJECTIVES

To describe the clinical, hematologic, and therapeutic characteristics of hospitalized adults with sickle cell disease (SCD) in the Al-Baha region and to identify factors that predict hospitalization as well as transfusion frequency.

METHODS

A retrospective observational analysis was conducted on 117 adults with confirmed SCD who were admitted to King Fahad Hospital-Al-Baha during 2022-2024. Demographic information, hematologic parameters, clinical features, hospitalization rate, transfusion history, and treatment protocols were collected from the electronic medical records. Statistical analyses (ANOVA, Kruskal-Wallis test, Chi-square tests, and Fisher's exact Test) were performed to compare between groups where applicable.

RESULTS

The cohort had a mean age of 30.6 years, with 63% being male. The average hemoglobin level was 8.57 g/dL, and there was an increase in hemoglobin S (76%) and a mean fetal hemoglobin (Hbf) of 6.74%. Patients were admitted and transfused an average of 5.21 and 5.91 times, respectively. Blood transfusion was significantly more common in males than in females (p = 0.021). Patients with 3 or more concomitant clinical symptoms had significantly higher rates of hospital admission and transfusion (p < 0.001). Hydroxyurea (84%) and folic acid (81%) were the most common treatments.

CONCLUSION

Hospitalized adult SCD patients in Al-Baha present with significant anemia, frequent health care use, and substantial transfusion need. The more clinical symptoms appear simultaneously, the higher the hospitalization and transfusion rates are. These results underscore the clinical importance of symptom burden in adult SCD patients hospitalized.