ULTRASOUND FINDINGS IN THE GALLBLADDER OF ADULT SICKLE CELL ANAEMIA AND SEX-AGE MATCHED NON SICKLE CELL ANAEMIA PATIENTS AT NATIONAL HOSPITAL ABUJA: AN ANALYTIC CROSS SECTIONAL STUDY.

BACKGROUND

Sickle Cell Anaemia (SCA), a hereditary hemoglobinopathy prevalent in sub-Saharan Africa, is associated with chronic haemolysis that predisposes patients to pigment gallstones. While gallbladder complications are common in SCA, especially in resource-limited regions, adult-targeted screening remains infrequent.

OBJECTIVE

To evaluate gallbladder morphology in adults with SCA using ultrasonography and compare these findings with healthy, age- and sex-matched non-SCA in relation to their anthropometry parameters.

METHODS

In this hospital-based analytic cross sectional study, 160 confirmed adult SCA patients and 160 age and sex-matched healthy controls underwent standardized gallbladder ultrasound. Parameters assessed included gallbladder volume, gallbladder wall thickness, and presence of stones in gallbladder. The examination was performed after atleast 6 hours fasting using a 3.5-5.0MHZ curvilinear array probe of a Mindray DC-N3-PRO ultrasound machine. The data obtained was analysed with SPSS version 20.0 using Student T-Test, pvalue and Spearman or Karl-Pearson's correlation coefficient where appropriate, and the results were presented in tables where necessary. The significant findings identified were highlighted.

RESULTS

The prevalence of cholelithiasis among the sickle cell anaemia subjects in this study was 20%, while the prevalence of cholelithiasis among the controls was 7.5%. Sickle cell anaemia subjects had significantly higher mean gallbladder volume (31.9±1.2cm2) compared to the healthy controls (23.2±1.4cm2), (P<0.001).

CONCLUSION

Adults living with SCA exhibit significantly higher rates of cholelithiasis and enlarged gallbladder volumes. Routine ultrasound screening should be integrated into adult SCA management in Nigeria to facilitate early intervention.