Increased Levels of Pancreatic Enzymes in Sickle Cell Anemia and the Effect of Proteinuria

Background/Objective: Sickle cell disease (SCD) is the most common hemoglobinopathy in Nigeria; and the condition can affect any part of the body including the pancreas. The study seeks to evaluate the levels of pancreatic enzymes in blood and urine of SCD patients in steady clinical state; and the effect of proteinuria on the enzyme levels as proteinuria was previously reported in SCD subjects. Materials and Methods: Urine and plasma amylase; serum lipase; and proteinuria were determined in 150 subjects comprising 100 SCD patients and 50 age/sex matched apparently healthy subjects with normal hemoglobin using commercially available reagent test kits. Results: Urine amylase (P = 0.029); serum amylase (P 0.001); lipase (P