Glycosylated hemoglobin in Saudi sickle cell patients with glucose-6-phosphate dehydrogenase deficiency.

Glycosylated hemoglobin (Hb) was measured in 42 Saudi sickle cell patients and in 38 sickle cell patients with glucose-6-phosphate dehydrogenase (G-6-PD) deficiency. A statistically significant decrease in the percentages of glycosylated Hb was found in patients with sickle cell anemia when compared with those SS subjects with G-6-PD deficiency. Since glycosylated Hb is considered as an index of the red blood cell's life span, it is suggested that the enzyme defect in these patients is possibly ameliorating the severity of sickle cell anemia.