Lung function disorders among sickle cell disease patients in Basra City, Iraq

Background: In sickle cell disease (SCD), lung function impairments might be obstructive, restrictive, or both. Due to a lack of extensive epidemiological investigations, the exact prevalence of sickle cell chronic lung illnesses and the way to identify them have yet to be determined. The aim of this study is to determine the impact of SCD on pulmonary function tests (PFTs) in adult patients in Basrah, Iraq, as well as to describe the patients' respiratory disorder .Materials and Methods: This a cross-sectional study conducted in Basrah City, Iraq, in which two groups of individual were enrolled: 110 healthy subjects (group1) and 102 sickle cell disease patients (group 2).Measurements of PFTs and several hematological tests were done for each individual of the two groups. Results: Significant decline (p > 0.05) in different tests of pulmonary function (FEV1; FVC; FEV1%PEF and MVV) were found in SCD patients with a significant elevation in estimated lung age. Several hematological tests (WBC;RBC;HGB; Neutrophils and lymphocytes were also showed significant changes(p >0.05)in the patients. In conclusion: Lung functions differ significantly in patients with SCD compared with matched healthy control individuals of a similar age, gender and standing height. This study has also shown that PFT abnormality in SCD patients was restrictive disease pattern.