Depression in Adolescent Sickle Cell Patients - A 2021 Sudan Study

The global mental health crisis, particularly depression, is escalating due to genetic mutations affecting the sixth amino acid, glutamic acid. This cross-sectional study aimed to investigate depression among adolescents with SCA using the Beck Depression Inventory (BDI) between February 2021 and August 2021. This hospital-based cross-sectional study was conducted in Khartoum, Sudan. The study involved 102 SCA patients aged 10-19, with a majority (63.7%) aged 13-16. Depression severity was diagnosed using the Beck Depression Inventory (BDI), and statistical analysis involved chi-square tests to compare proportions between groups, with a significance level of p<0.05 and 95% confidence level. The study found that most males (38.5%) had none-mild depression, while most females (42.0%) had mild-moderate depression with a p-value of 0.310. Age groups showed the highest prevalence of mild-to-moderate depression (46.2%) in 10-12-year-olds and the most mild depression (33.3%) in 17-19-year-olds. Crisis frequency was infrequent among participants (p=0.933). A significant association was observed between crisis frequency and depression severity, with severe depression primarily seen in crisis-prone individuals (27.8%) (p=0.001). The study highlights the global mental illness burden and challenges faced by individuals with SCA, particularly females, emphasizing the need for early psychological support and intervention to improve their well-being.