Abstract
Objective: This study assessed the diagnostic performance and prognostic properties of C-reactive protein (CRP), copeptin
and cortisol in individuals with sickle cell anaemia (SCA).
Design: Prospective case-control study
Methods: Sixty consecutive SCA subjects (18–40 years) comprising 30 subjects in the steady state and 30 subjects in vasoocclusive
crisis (VOC) were recruited into this study. Thirty (30) apparently healthy individuals with HbAA genotype served
as controls. ELISA was used for the determination of serum levels of copeptin, CRP and cortisol. Data obtained were
statistically analyzed using the Student’s t-test and Mann Whitney U as appropriate and P,0.05 was considered significant.
Results: SCA subjects in VOC had significantly lower copeptin level and significantly higher CRP level compared with
controls. However, serum levels of copeptin, cortisol and CRP were significantly higher in SCA subjects in VOC compared
with SCA subjects in steady state. Furthermore, CRP had the widest Area under the ROC curve (AUROC) than copeptin and
cortisol. No significant difference was observed in the levels of copeptin, CRP and cortisol when SCA subjects in VOC who
were hospitalized for less #5 days were compared with subjects who had longer stays.
Conclusion: It could be concluded that C-reactive protein has a superior diagnostic performance for vaso-occlusive crisis in
individuals with sickle cell anaemia and that C-reactive protein, cortisol and copeptin are not good prognostic markers in
SCA subjects in vaso-occlusive crisis.