<p>Mini review: leg ulcers - a secondary complication of sickle cell disease</p>

Abstract

Sickle cell disease (SCD) is a group of inherited blood disorders recognized by WHO as a major public health problem. It affects morbidity and mortality of the affected population considerably. Leg ulcer in the lower limbs is a hallmark feature of SCD. Meticulous physical examination, thorough history, laboratory tests, and imaging will lead to proper diagnosis and lead to proper treatment and management of the cases. Although newer treatment strategies have improved the prognostic outcome of SCD, leg ulcers still are a disabling and difficult to treat a complication of the condition. This mini review summarizes this common complication of SCD.

Profile of Women With Leg Ulcers Due to Sickle Cell Disease

“…Ulcers are more common in the second decade of life and in males. They are associated with lower socioeconomic status and low education 9 .…”

Úlceras de perna em pacientes com anemia falciforme

“…The description found support from other scholars of the subject and was used in later publications. 2…”

“…Microalbuminuria and markers of severe chronic hemolysis may be observed, facilitating diagnosis. 2 Histopathological analysis of ulcer biopsy specimens may show atrophic epithelial borders, increased vascularity, vascular disease with vascular occlusion, chronic inflammatory process, microthrombi, and intimal fibrin deposits. 2 Although these findings are not very specific, they are particularly useful for differential diagnosis from other causes of lower limb ulcers.…”

“…1,2 As a consequence, some red blood cells become denser and lose their capacity to deform and flow through the microvascularization, causing vasoocclusion, inflammation, ischemia, tissue damage, and hemolytic anemia. 1,2 The vascular disease component of SCD can provoke pulmonary hypertension, pain crises, hand-foot syndrome, ischemic stroke, priapism, and lower limb ulcers. 1 Up until the 1960s, SCD caused high mortality rates in young patients, with a mean age of ten years.…”

“…These ulcers have a significant impact on quality of life, can cause depression, and are responsible for a considerable increase in healthcare costs. 2,6…”