Asian Journal of Research in Nephrology

Background: Sickle Cell Disease (SCD) is a relatively common genetic disorder in Nigeria with attendant kidney disease. There is growing evidence that Sickle cell trait (SCT) may have smothering kidney disease. Microalbuminuria is a sensitive predictor of kidney damage.

Aims: To determine the prevalence of microalbuminuria and its clinical correlates in individuals with SCT.

Methodology: A hospital based cross-sectional study of 200 age and sex matched SCD patients divided equally into 2 groups of sickle cell anemia (SCA) and SCT with 100 controls with HbAA. All participants had blood hematology, chemistry and urine albumin/creatinine ratio (UACR) done. The study was done in Obafemi Awolowo University Teaching Hospital, Ile-Ife, Osun State and Federal Medical Centre, Owo, Ondo State, between May 2016 to April 2017

Results: The SCA group comprised of 86 HbSS and 14 HbSC, SCT group had 96 HbAS and 4 HbAC while the control were all HbAA. The prevalence of microalbuminuria was 61%, 12% and 8% (p<0.0001) respectively across the group. Serum alanine aminotransferase and aspartate aminotransferase were the clinical parameters associated with the presence of microalbuminuria but was insignificant on regression analysis.

Conclusion: Microalbuminuria is more prevalent in the SCD and SCT population and thus there may be a need to adopt measures of early detection and institute aggressive lifestyle modification to prevent chronic kidney disease.