Journal Article Systematic Review Meta-Analysis Review Ppublish 1 citation
PubMed: 40777935 DOI: 10.4314/ahs.v24i3.46
Frequency of red blood cell allo-immunization in transfused patients with sickle cell disease in Africa: a systematic review with meta-analysis.
Afr Health Sci 24(3):417-429
Authors: Theresa Ukamaka Nwagha, Angela Ogechukwu Ugwu, Martins Nweke
Affiliations
- Department of Haematology and Immunology, Faculty of Basic Clinical Sciences, College of Medicine, University of Nigeria, Ituku/Ozalla Campus Enugu Sttse, Nigeria.
- Department of Haematology and Immunology, University of Nigeria Teaching Hospital, Ituku/Ozalla, Enugu State, Nigeria.
- Department of Physiotherapy, Evangel University Akaeze- Okpoto, Ebonyi State, Nigeria.
- Department of Physiotherapy, Faculty of Health Sciences, University of Pretoria, South Africa.
Abstract
Background and Objectives
Blood transfusion is an effective and proven treatment for some severe complications of sickle cell disease. Recurrent transfusions have put patients with sickle cell disease at risk of developing antibodies against the various antigens they were exposed to. This study aims to investigate the frequency of red blood cell alloimmunization in patients with sickle disease in Africa.
Materials and Methods
This is a systematic review of peer-reviewed and published literature. The review was conducted consistent with the Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analyses checklist.Data sources for the review include MEDLINE, PubMed, AJOL, CINAHL, Psych-Info and Academic Search Complete. Included in this review are articles that reported the frequency/prevalence of red blood cell alloimmunization in sickle cell disease patients in Africa. Eligible studies were subjected to independent full-text screening and data extraction. Risk of bias assessment was conducted with the aid of the mixed method appraisal tool. We employed a random-effects model of meta-analysis to estimate the pooled prevalence. We computed Cochrane's Q statistics and I2 and prediction interval to quantify heterogeneity in effect size.
Results
The prevalence estimates range from 2.6% to 29%. Pooled prevalence was estimated to be 12.1% (95% CI 8.1 to 17.7), with significant heterogeneity (I2= 91.83; PI = 2 to 54%).
Conclusion
The frequency of red cell alloantibody varies considerably in Africa.
MeSH
Cells, Immunization, Erythrocytes, Blood, Anemia, Sickle Cell, Prevalence, Blood Cells