Priapism in sickle-cell disease; incidence, risk factors and complications - an international multicentre study.

Objective: To define the incidence, risk factors and complications of priapism in a large population of patients with sickle-cell anaemia in five centres in the UK and Nigeria, as priapism is common among these patients, but the precise characteristics of the condition in this population are poorly documented.

Patients And Methods: A questionnaire was developed and administered to patients with sickle-cell disease. Questions were designed to define the incidence, nature, precipitants, duration, treatment and complications of priapism.

Complement haemolytic activity, circulating immune complexes and the morbidity of sickle cell anaemia.

The aim of this study was to find out if the number of crises and complications of sickle cell anaemia (SCA) relate to complement function, or the levels of circulating immune complexes (CIC), complement factor B (Bf), C3 and C4. In 73 steady-state HbSS patients and 50 HbAA control subjects, we determined the haemolytic activity of the alternative pathway of complement (AP50), of the classical pathway (CH50); and the serum concentrations of Bf, C3, C4 and CIC. By clinical examination of each patient and review of the medical records, we determined the number of complications of SCA which had occurred and the mean number of crises per year over a minimum period of 3 years.

Effects of minor surgery on some aspects of platelet function.

Blood from 33 patients undergoing elective surgery for non-malignant disorders was examined before operation and on the third post-operative day. The following parameters were measured: (a) total platelet count (b) platelet volume (c) released adenine nucleotides (ATP and ADP). Whole blood platelet count (WBPC) levels increased significantly after surgery and there was significant correlations between its pre- and post-operative values (r = 0.