Serum Surfactant Protein D Level in Patients with Sickle Cell Disease in Relation to Cardiopulmonary Complications

Abstract

ickle cell disease (SCD) is one of the most common severe monogenic disorders in the world. Hemoglobin polymerisation, leading to erythrocyte rigidity and vaso-occlusion, is central to the pathophysiology of this disease, although the importance of chronic anemia, hemolysis, and vasculopathy has been established. SCD patients may experience a variety of clinical complications attributed to anemia, hemolysis, and iron overload. Acute and chronic pulmonary complications of sickle cell anemia are common but often underappreciated by healthcare providers. These conditions have clearly emerged as major threats to the well-being and longevity of patients with sickle cell disease. Pulmonary surfactant protein D (SP-D) is considered a candidate biomarker for lung integrity and for disease progression. Increased serum levels of SP-D have been reported for lung diseases such as pulmonary alveolar proteinosis, cystic fibrosis, chronic obstructive pulmonary disease, and for infectious diseases like tuberculosis and bacterial pneumonia. Therefore, we determined the levels of SP-D in young SCD patients and assessed its relation to markers of hemolysis, iron overload and pulmonary complications.