Characteristics and potential biomarkers of adult sickle cell patients with chronic pain.

Abstract

OBJECTIVES:

In this study, we investigated the evolution of chronic pain in sickle cell patients (SCD) as an age-dependent phenomenon and studied the frequency of vaso-occlusive episode frequency, opioid use, quantitative sensory testing (QST), and biomarkers of chronic pain (CP).

METHODS:

We undertook a cross-sectional study of the evolution of CP in SCD. A total of 72 subjects (age 15-66) were enrolled. VOE frequency, presence of CP hydroxyurea (HU) therapy, opioid use, and laboratory parameters were collected. QST was performed, and plasma tryptase, substance P, and NGF (Nerve Growth Factor) levels were assayed.

RESULTS:

There was an age-dependent increase in frequency of CP, VOEs, opioid use, and Von Frey monofilament values. CP patients had significantly higher opioid use (daily morphine equivalents) (52.8 mg vs 6.94 mg, P = .009), suggesting a correlation between opioid use and hyperalgesia. NGF levels were also significantly higher (P = .051). Our results confirm previous observations of an age-dependent increase in the proportion of patients with CP and support the contributing role of mast cell activation and neurogenic inflammation.

CONCLUSIONS:

This is the first study of NGF as a possible biomarker of CP in SCD. If confirmed, this could provide a diagnostic marker and therapeutic target for CP in SCD.

• Authors: Camila Albo, Sanjiv Kumar, Michael Pope, Kyle Michael Kidwell, Hongyan Xu, Latanya Bowman, Leigh Wells, Nadine Barrett, Sabine Fields, Pritam Bora, Niren Patel, Abdullah Kutlar
• Journal: European journal of haematology (Eur J Haematol) Vol. 105 Issue 4 Pg. 419-425 (Oct 2020) ISSN: 1600-0609 [Electronic] England
• PMID: 32497305 (Publication Type: Journal Article)
• Copyright: © 2020 John Wiley & Sons A/S. Published by John Wiley & Sons Ltd.

Chemical References

• Biomarkers

Topics

• Acute Chest Syndrome (diagnosis, etiology, therapy)
• Adolescent
• Adult
• Age Factors
• Aged
• Anemia, Sickle Cell (complications, diagnosis, therapy)
• Biomarkers
• Chronic Pain (diagnosis, etiology, therapy)
• Cross-Sectional Studies
• Female
• Humans
• Male
• Middle Aged
• Pain Management
• Pain Measurement
• Symptom Assessment
• Treatment Outcome
• Young Adult