Sickle Cell Disease and COVID-19

In late December 2019 in Wuhan, Hubei Province, China, there came a report on several consecutive cases of acute respiratory syndrome. After health research, the syndrome was diagnosed as zoonosis, and its primary origin was the seafood market. Having been spread to many cities and countries, such as Hong Kong, Taiwan, and Macau and other

continents, this disease, later known as COVID-19, became a pandemic and caused countless health problems in the world (1-5). COVID-19 can be transmitted through respiratory droplets and human carriers (6). The symptoms vary from mild, moderate, and severe. Mild to moderate symptoms appear two weeks after exposure to the virus, including fever and dry cough (7, 8). Severe symptoms include difficulty breathing, which mostly leads to hospitalization in the ICU (9).

About 5% of the world’s population carries a gene that disrupts the hemoglobin production chain. The most common disease is sickle cell disease (10). Defects in hemoglobin synthesis cause red blood cells to become crescent-shaped or sickle-shaped. These abnormal conditions are more likely to occur in the absence of oxygen. This lack of oxygen may occur in the face of an infectious agent. The sickle shape of red blood cells causes blockage of arteries and complications in various organs (11-13). One of the high-risk groups of COVID19 is sickle cell anemia (SCD) patients. These patients may be more vulnerable due to immunodeficiency and thrombosis (14).

The present study aimed to investigate the relationship between sickle cell disease and COVID-19 disease. To find related articles, three databases, Embase, Scopus, and PubMed were examined. The combination of search keywords is (“Coronavirus” OR “COVID19” OR AND “Anemia sickle Cell” OR “sickle cell disease”). Articles found from databases were collected in EndNote X8 software. Duplicates were detected using this software. The titles and abstracts articles were studied. Then, the full text of the articles was reviewed, if available. Beneficial findings were extracted by studying the articles. was reviewed if available. Beneficial findings were extracted by studying the articles.

After reviewing the databases, 673 articles were identified. Six articles were duplicates and were deleted. 667 titles and abstracts were studied. Seventy-three full texts of the article were read. Eight completely related articles were identified, and their information was used. Significant findings were obtained on the relationship between sickle cell anemia and COVID-19 disease.

Fever is one of the main symptoms that is common in both sickle cell disease and COVID-19 disease, so the patients may not be diagnosed if they develop COVID-19 disease. It may be more common in areas of Africa where diagnostic facilities for COVID-19 are more limited.

The decreased effect of serum cytokines is one of the side effects of COVID-19 in some of them (15). Mortality from COVID disease is higher in patients with sickle cell disease and chronic respiratory or cardiovascular disease and hypertension than in patients with sickle cell disease alone (16). Examination of blood cells in patients with COVID-19 and sickle cell anemia revealed that all blood cells were stable, and only white blood cells were reduced. Some patients were also diagnosed with gastrointestinal complications of COVID-19 disease. In patients with sickle cell anemia, a background of chronic inflammation has been identified as a protective factor against COVID-19 disease (13). The mean age of patients was 52.9 years, and 92% of patients were of African descent. Fever and shortness of breath and loss of sense of smell and taste were typical symptoms of patients. They needed supportive care and were also treated with hydroxyl chlorine and steroids. Some patients underwent oxygen therapy and were transferred to the ICU (11). Half of the hospitalized patients required mechanical ventilation, and approximately more than 15% required the ICU. There was a relationship between patients’ age and ICU admission. More than half of the hospitalized patients over 45 years of age needed to be hospitalized in the ICU. Older age and vasoconstriction crisis were identified as risk factors for the disease (10). Mutations in the beta chain in hemoglobin may prevent SARS-COVR binding to iron cells (11).

Since children with sickle cell anemia are more vulnerable to COVID-19 disease, they should wear a mask and maintain social distance (6). Patients with sickle cell anemia often need to receive blood. During the COVID-19 disease pandemic, Blood transfusion centers must follow health protocols. Blood donors should be screened for COVID-19 disease (13). At this time, non-urgent procedures such as bone marrow transplantation should be postponed (17). Complications of sickle cell disease are permanent and temporary defects of the immune system, and the main symptom is fever. Every patient with this symptom should also be screened for COVID-19, regardless of whether they are exposed to the Coronavirus (16).

Health care planning should be considered at the time of COVID19 disease, especially in Africa. Also, special attention should be paid to patients with sickle cell anemia and their treatment needs (18).

COVID 19 is rapidly spreading and is more severe in people with chronic disease and defective immune systems. At the time of producing the appropriate vaccine for COVID 19 disease, patients with sickle cell anemia should be given priority as a high-risk group. Due to the high cost of treating sickle cell disease, international support is necessary, especially during the COVID 19.