Vitamin D Deficiency and Its Hematological Correlates in Patients with Sickle Cell Disease at a Ugandan Clinic

Abstract

Purpose: To determine the prevalence of vitamin D deficiency (VDD), evaluate its correlation with key hematological parameters, and identify associated factors among patients attending the Sickle Cell Clinic at Mengo Hospital (Kampala, Uganda). Patients and Methods: This cross-sectional study enrolled 213 patients with sickle cell disease (SCD) at Mengo Hospital, serum 25- hydroxyvitamin D levels were measured. Levels were classified as deficient (< 0.001) respectively. Additionally, folic acid and hydroxyurea were associated with a lower risk of VDD (aPR 0.69, p = 0.028). Conclusion: Nearly half of the patients with sickle cell disease had vitamin D deficiency. Older age increased the risk. VDD is weakly but significantly associated with lower Hb/RBC and higher RDW, suggesting a possible contributory role in the hematologic profile of Ugandan SCD patients