Raised D-dimer levels in acute sickle cell crisis and their correlation with chest X-ray abnormalities.

Objective: Quantitation of D-dimer level during a sickling crisis and its correlation with other clinical abnormalities.

Design: Prospective longitudinal study.

Setting: Armed Forces Hospital, Southern Region, Kingdom of Saudi Arabia.

Significant bronchospasm during sickle cell painful crises is associated with a lower peripheral eosinophil count.

Background: Bronchial hyperresponsiveness and/or bronchospasm are recognized complications of sickle cell disease.

Objective: The aim of this study was to investigate the presence of bronchospasm during painful crises, using simple spirometry in patients with sickle cell disease.

Methods: A prospective, non-randomized study was undertaken in patients with homozygous sickle cell disease, who presented with increasing pain.