PREVALENCE OF SICKLE CELL ANEMIA IN YOUTH BY COST EFFECTIVE STRATEGY ALONG WITH HPLC

This study aimed to determine the prevalence of sickle cell disease among students of Anand People’s Medicare Society (APMS) using cost-effective screening methods and confirming the results with high-performance liquid chromatography (HPLC). A total of 395 students from Anand, Gujarat, were screened using the sickling test and solubility test as primary screening methods. Haemoglobinopathies carriers were diagnosed and confirmed using HPLC at the Indian Red Cross Society, State Branch in Ahmedabad. Complete hemogram analysis was performed, and the results were tabulated and analyzed. The results indicated that HPLC exhibited 100% sensitivity, specificity, and accuracy, while the sickling test demonstrated a sensitivity of 66.66%, specificity of 97.90%, and accuracy of 97.21%. The solubility test showed a sensitivity of 53.84%, specificity of 96.85%, and accuracy of 95.44%. HPLC had a 100% positive predictive value (PPV) and negative predictive value (NPV), whereas the sickling test had a PPV of 55.55% and NPV of 99.20%. The solubility test yielded a PPV of 36.84% and NPV of 98.40%. In conclusion, the sickling test and solubility test are cost-effective and easily conducted, with the sickling test providing more reliable results with higher sensitivity and specificity compared to the solubility test. HPLC is considered the gold standard test for screening.