Coagulation changes during the steady state in homozygous sickle-cell disease in Jamaica.

Coagulation studies were carried out in 117 Jamaicans with homozygous sickle-cell disease in the steady state, and 40 local controls. The patients had significantly higher factor-VIII levels, higher platelet counts, lower factor-V and plasminogen levels, shorter thrombin times and higher serum fibrinogen degradation products (FDP) than the control group. The low factor-V and plasminogen levels, and high FDP levels, might be explained by activation of the coagulation system and continuous clot lysis even in the absence of painful crisis. The high factor-VIII levels and short thrombin times found in these patients could not be explained.