EVALUATION OF SACROILIAC JOINT INVOLVEMENT IN SICKLE CELL DISEASE IN BASRAH

Sickle cell disease is a common hemoglobinopathy in Iraq, specifically in Basrah province. Sacroiliac joint involvement is rarely reported in the literature. Objectives: To find out how often the sacroiliac joint is involved in sickler patients and to describe its clinical and radiological features using plain radiographs and magnetic resonance imaging (MRI). Methods: A descriptive cross-sectional study was conducted at Basrah Teaching Hospital, Basrah arthroplasty center and Basrah Center for Hereditary Diseases from the 1st of October 2021 to the 1st of December 2022. A prepared questionnaire was used for data collection which focused on the history and clinical examination of all patients with sickle cell disease with or without lower backache. Radiological imaging was offered to all patients and MRI to selected patients. Results: A total of 217 patients with sickle cell disease were involved. 62 (28.6%) of patients with sickle cell disease have lower back pain, and it is mostly common in patients with moderate severity — 43 patients (19.8%) — according to VAS score. FABER test was positive in 43 (19.8%) of patients with sickle cell disease and lower backache. Plain radiography was positive in about one-fifth of the enrolled patients in the study 44/217 (20.3%). MRI was able to detect an abnormality in 19/31 (64.2%) of the examined cases, and the most common MRI finding is subchondral sclerosis. Conclusions: The sacroiliac joint is involved in sickle cell disease but the diagnosis is vague, requiring comprehensive history, clinical and specific radiological imaging.