Abstract
Despite the documented presence of anti-phospholipid antibodies (aPL) and autoantibodies in certain cohorts of sickle cell disease (SCD) patients, the clinical risk factors associated with their development and subsequent complications remain inadequately elucidated. This study aims to investigate the seroprevalence of aPL, anti-cyclic citrullinated peptide antibody (anti-CCP) and anti-nuclear antibodies (ANA), along with their correlation with hematological, inflammatory markers and clinical findings in patients SCD during steady state phase. This cross-sectional study involved 92 SCD patients, employing an automated hematology autoanalyzer for complete blood count alongside evaluating of inflammatory markers. aPL (IgM and IgG) and anti-CCP were measured via enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay and ANA tested through indirect immunofluorescence assay. The study revealed a prevalence of 17.4% for aPL (IgG), 13% for aPL (IgM), 41.3% for ANA, and 15.2% for anti-CCP among SCD patients, where aPL (IgG) positive individuals showing lower inflammatory markers and significant associations with chronic leg ulcers and thrombosis history. There was a correlation between anti-CCP positivity and arthritis, while Neutrophil-Lymphocyte Ratio, Platelet-Lymphocyte Ratio (PLR), and Systemic Immune Inflammation Index showed negative associations with arthritis and a positive relationship between PLR and leg ulcers in SCD patients. The significant seroprevalence of aPL and autoantibodies in SCD patients suggests that integrating immunological, hematological and inflammatory markers could enhance clinical assessments and therapeutic strategies for SCD.