Allergic profile of sickle cell disease patients with allergic rhinitis in Center for Medicine and Sickle disease, Kinshasa

Abstract

Context and objective. Allergic rhinitis (AR) and sickle cell disease represent a growing public health challenge. The aim was to describe the clinical characteristics and allergological profile of sickle cell anemia patients with AR. Methods. A cross-sectional study was conducted between August 2022 and April 2023 at the Centre de Médecine Mixte et d'Anémie SS (CMMASS). Allergy skin testing was performed with extracts of 14 allergens in addition to positive and negative controls. Results. In total, the study included 90 sickle cell patients. The frequency of AR in sickle-cell patients was 56.8%. Half of these patients were under 15 years of age (range 6-43 years). Onset of 1st symptom was before the age 10 for the majority. AR was moderate to severe and persistent in 71.8% and 57.7% respectively. Dust mites, dog dander and molds (Alternaria alternata and Aspergillus fumigatus) were the most frequent allergens. Around 8 out of 10 sickle cell patients were polysensitive.
Conclusion. Most sickle-cell patients with AR were sensitized to house dust mites, dog dander and molds. AR was mostly severe and persistent.

Received: June 1st, 2024
Accepted: April 2nd, 2025

https://dx.doi.org/10.4314/aamed.v18i3.13