Effectiveness hydroxyurea in decrease of painful crisis in patients with sickle cell anemia.Barranquilla 2011-2013

Abstract

Objective: To determine the efficacy of hydroxyurea versus folic acid in reducing the frequency of painful crises in patients with sickle cell anemia. Materials and methods: Analytical cohort study, in 80 patients who had at least 3 painful crises during the last year prior to the consultation; were included in group 1 those in whom hydroxyurea scheme was ordered a dose of 500 mg every 12 hours (approximately 15 mg/kg/day) (40 patients), and in group 2 were included those undergoing scheme folic acid 1 mg / day v.o (40 patients); they were subjected to clinical assessment by evaluating presentation of painful crises y paraclínical, at the beginning of the therapeutic regimen and at 6 and 12 months of treatment. Results: In males, the prevalence of 62,5 % in group 1 and 67,5 % in group 2 was observed ; age of group 1 was 25,8 ± 5,6 years old and 26,1 ± 6,0 years old in group 2; the mean of painful crises was 5,5 ± 0,8 in group 1 at admission and at follow-up visit decreased to 1,5 ± 1,6; in group 2 the average was 4,7 ± 0,8 at admission and at follow-up visit 4,3 ± 1,0 crisis. Conclusions: Hydroxyurea is an effective and safe option for the management of patients with sickle cell anemia with three or more painful crises per year