Determination of Plasma Levels of Inflammatory Cytokines in Sickle Cell Patients at the Central Hospital of Yaoundé-Cameroon

Background: Sickle cell disease is the most common genetic disorder worldwide and the most prevalent in the African region. It has been recognized as a public health priority by UNESCO in 2005, the African Union in 2005, WHO in 2006, and the United Nations in 2008. The objective of our work was to determine the level of inflammatory cytokines in sickle cell patients. Methodology: This cross-sectional, descriptive, and prospective study was conducted over 18 months (February 2020 to August 2021) and included 80 sickle cell patients. We performed CBC, blood smear, CRP, and cytokine assays and looked for factors associated with elevated cytokines in these patients. Results: The study showed that 56% of participants were women, and the most represented age group was 15 to 30 years (82.5%). The main reason for hospitalization was vaso-occlusive crises (VOC) with a prevalence of 76%. The prevalence of blood transfusions ranged from 2 to 4 per year, and these patients had hemoglobin levels between 6 and 11 g/dL. Only the cytokine IL-6 was significantly higher in patients experiencing vaso-occlusive crises compared to those in a stable state. No significant correlation was observed between plasma concentrations of different cytokines and the number of attacks. Conclusion: IL-6 titration may have prognostic and therapeutic value in managing sickle cell disease.