Incidence and prevalence of acute stroke and its clinical implications and outcomes in patients with sickle cell disease: A systematic review

This systematic review aims to determine the incidence and prevalence of acute stroke in patients with sickle cell disease (SCD) and explore its clinical implications and outcomes. A comprehensive search was conducted using the Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analyses 2020 guidelines to identify relevant studies published between 2013 and 2023. Databases including PubMed, Google Scholar, ResearchGate, ScienceDirect, and Wiley Online Library are searched. Inclusion criteria are applied to select studies involving human subjects, written in English, and reporting the association between acute stroke and confirmed cases of SCD. Study quality assessment and data extraction are performed by two independent reviewers using study-specific tools. A total of 9 studies met the inclusion criteria including 7 cohort studies, and two meta-analyses are included in the systematic review with a total of 24,480 participants. The prevalence of stroke in SCD patients varied across studies, ranging from 1.24% to 27.3%. The incidence rates of stroke showed significant variability, ranging from 0.31% to 31%. Long-term disabilities, recurrence, and reduced quality of life characterized the clinical outcomes of stroke in SCD patients. Mortality rates varied among studies, emphasizing the need for early detection and comprehensive care. The review provides valuable insights for health-care professionals, researchers, and policymakers involved in SCD care, emphasizing the importance of early detection, intervention, and comprehensive management to improve patient outcomes. Further research is needed to address knowledge gaps and understand the underlying mechanisms of stroke in SCD.