P-33 A Comparative Study on Conventional Screening Methods and Citrate Haemoglobin Electrophoresis on Sickle Cell Patients in Guyana
Author(s):
A Anderson, R Kurup
Year of Presentation:
2024
Objective: To identify the accurate and low-cost method(s) in the diagnosis of Sickle Cell Disease in Guyana.
Methods: A descriptive laboratory-based study with 50 samples collected and analyzed using the Hooks method, Sodium Metabisulphite, and solubility tests. Haemoglobin electrophoresis (cellulose acetate) was used as the gold standard.
Results: A higher percentage of participants were Afro- Guyanese (58.0%; 95% CI 43.2-71.8) and female (62.0%; 95% CI 47.2-75.3) gender. Hematological parameters showed ±SD of Hb 11.3±2.4 with no significant difference between males and females. Hooks method, SMB sickling test, and solubility tests showed an overall accuracy of 50.0% (95% CI 35.5-64.5), 72.0% (95% CI 57.5-83.3), 98% (95% CI 89.4-100.0) respectively. Hooks, Sodium Metabisulphite sickling and solubility tests had sensitivities of 30.3% (95% CI 15.6-48.7), 87.9% (95% CI 71.8-96.6), 97.0% (95% CI 84.2-99.9) respectively. Hooks, Sodium Metabisulphite sickling and solubility had specificites of 88.2% (95% CI 63.3-98.5), 41% (95% CI 18.4-67.1), 100.0% (95% CI 80.5-100.0) respectively.
Conclusion: The solubility test was more reliable and accurate to perform than the sickling test and Hooks method. It would therefore be a recommended test for preliminary screening for SCD at laboratories and hospitals in Guyana.