Determination of the Level of Von Willebrand Factor and ADAMTS13 in Sickle Cell Anaemia Patients in Steady State

Background: Sickle cell anaemia (SCA) is a hypercoagulable state with alteration in the haemostatic parameters and may contribute to thrombosis in a steady state. The levels of von Willebrand factor (VWF) and ADAMTS13 antigen in the steady state as markers of thrombotic risk have not been fully investigated in our environment. Aim: Evaluation of the level of VWF and ADAMTS13 as a marker of thrombotic risk in SCA subjects in the steady state at UCTH, Calabar. Subjects and Methods: This is a comparative study carried out at UCTH, Calabar. Sixty SCA patients were evaluated in the steady state with apparently healthy controls matched for age and sex VWF.Ag, and ADAMTS13.Ag was evaluated using Assay Pro enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay kit. Data was analysed with IBM Statistical Package for Social Sciences Chicago Software version 26. Results: The median age of SCA and controls were 23 years and 20 years, respectively (P = 0.962). There were no significant differences in their sex distribution (P = 0.063). The mean +/- standard deviation (SD) of VWF in the steady state and control were 1.34 +/- 0.23 IU/mL and 1.41 +/- 0.23 IU/mL with no significant difference in their mean (P = 0.864). The mean +/- SD of ADAMTS13 in the steady state and control were 0.44 +/- 0.06 mu g/L and 0.62 +/- 0.10 mu g/L, respectively, with no significant difference in their mean (P = 0.171). Conclusion: There was no significant difference between VWF.Ag, ADAMTS13, and VWF.Ag: ADAMTS13 antigen ratio in SCA in the steady state and control. There is a need for further research to determine their functionality.