SERUM MAGNESIUM LEVELS IN GHANAIAN SICKLE CELL DISEASE PATIENTS

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ABSTRACT

Background:

Vaso-occlusive crisis (VOC), the hallmark of sickle cell disease (SCD) is responsible for the high rate of morbidity and mortality in SCD patients with sickling of the sickle haemoglobin (HbS) being the main cause. Reduction of the cellular concentration of HbS through prevention of erythrocyte dehydration has been proposed as a possible therapeutic strategy for VOC management with the K-Cl co-transporter being a major pathway for sickle cell dehydration and subsequent sickling. Recent studies have shown that red blood cell magnesium (Mg) content modulates K-Cl co-transport activity hence it plays a key role in sickle RBC dehydration and its subsequent pathogenesis in SCD. Magnesium is a nutrient and the fourth most abundant cation in the human body. Magnesium is an essential electrolyte which is involved in over 300 enzymatic reaction and physiological functions in the body. However, Mg status in patients is frequently undetected and it is described as the most under diagnosed electrolyte abnormality in current medical practice. There are other electrolyte abnormalities in SCD such as sodium, potassium and calcium. Data on serum magnesium levels in SCD patients available worldwide are very few and conflicting making it difficult to globally or regionally generalize the outcomes of such findings as a guide or tool in clinical practice. To date, there is no data on serum magnesium levels in Ghanaian SCD patients. There is therefore, the need to gather data in that regard.