Open AccessPrevalence of relative systemic hypertension in adults with sickle cell disease in Ghana
Author(s) -
Amma Benneh-Akwasi Kuma,
Amma OwusuAnsah,
Mary Akua Ampomah,
Fredericka Sey,
Edeghonghon Olayemi,
Mehdi Nouraie,
Solomon Fiifi Ofori-Acquah
Publication year - 2018
Publication title -
plos one
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 0.99
H-Index - 332
ISSN - 1932-6203
DOI - 10.1371/journal.pone.0190347
Subject(s) - medicine , blood pressure , disease , pulse pressure , stroke (engine) , prehypertension , population , cardiology , pulmonary hypertension , pediatrics , mechanical engineering , environmental health , engineering
Individuals with sickle cell disease particularly with the homozygous (SS) genotype historically have relatively low blood pressure. Nonetheless, they develop vasculopathy-associated organ dysfunction and the risk of organ dysfunction increases at blood pressures that are normal in the general population. This phenomenon is termed relative systemic hypertension (RSH) with a systolic blood pressure range of 120–139 mmHg, and diastolic blood pressure range of 70–89 mmHg. The significance of RSH lies in its association with renal insufficiency, pulmonary hypertension, stroke and propensity to progress to systemic hypertension. We conducted a retrospective chart review of 1,000 adults with sickle cell disease at the Ghana Institute of Clinical Genetics, to determine the prevalence of RSH in sickle cell disease in Ghana and associated complications. We found a high prevalence of RSH and hypertension with a relatively low frequency of renal insufficiency. Pulse pressure, a predictor of mortality, was higher in males of all ages. We anticipate that providing an estimate of the burden of RSH will heighten its recognition and clinical management among health care providers.