Impact of Factors Associated with ChronicComplications in the Life of Sickle Cell Patients in Kinshasa

Abstract

Context: Studies describing the factors associated with chronic complications and their impact on the life of adult sickle cell patients are rare.Objective: Contribute to improving the care of sickle cell patients in Kinshasa through the analysis of the impact of factors associated with chronic complications of sickle cell disease.Method: This is a cross sectional analytical study.Results: This research was carried out in a cross-sectional manner on 230 sickle cell patients aged at least 15 years recruited at the Center for Mixed Medicine and SS anemia and also in three associations of sickle cell disease patients in Kinshasa.The median age was 23.55 years (extremes 1543 years), the majority of whom were female (58.3%), with a sex ratio M/F = 0.72.Chronic complications were mainly infectious (47.2%), followed by hemolytic (27.6%) and ischemic (25.2%).Occupation, level of education, socioeconomic level (social class), and the presence and number of sickle cell siblings in the family were identified as potential factors for the occurrence of chronic complications.Conclusion: Sickle cell patients in Kinshasa have a low overall Quality of Life, particularly in its physical component, which is significantly affected by psychological limitations.Thus, improving the living conditions of sickle cell patients, better follow-up and accessibility to care should contribute to improving the quality of Life of sickle cell patients in DRC.