부산대학교 도서관

To authenticate to the full-text of this article, please visit this link: http://dx.doi.org/10.1111/j.1537-2995.2009.02185.x Byline: Reem Ameen, Salem Al Shemmari, Abdulaziz Al-Bashir Abstract: BACKGROUND: Sickle cell disease (SCD) is common in the Arabian Gulf region. Most cases require a red blood cell (RBC) transfusion, increasing the potential for RBC alloantibody development. The incidence of RBC alloimmunization among Kuwaiti Arab SCD patients is not yet known. This study retrospectively assessed the effect of using two different matching protocols on the incidence of alloimmunization among multiply transfused Kuwaiti Arab SCD patients. STUDY DESIGN AND METHODS: A total of 233 Kuwaiti Arab SCD patients were divided into two groups: Group 1 (n = 110) received RBC transfusion through standard ABO- and D-matched nonleukoreduced blood; Group 2 (n = 123) received RBCs matched for ABO, Rh, and K1 poststorage-leukoreduced blood. Multivariate analysis was performed on the factors associated with RBC alloimmunization and antibody specificity. RESULTS: Sixty-five percent of patients in Group 1 developed clinically significant RBC alloantibody with an increased prevalence in females; in patients in Group 2, 23.6% developed RBC alloantibodies (p = 0.01). In Group 1, 72 patients (65.5%) had alloantibodies directed against Rh and Kell systems (p = 0.01). Multivariate analysis further confirmed the results, showing that blood transfusion type and sex have significant effects on the rate of alloimmunizations. CONCLUSION: This study confirms the importance of selecting RBCs matched for Rh and Kell to reduce the risk of alloimmunizations among Kuwaiti Arab SCD patients. Article History: Received for publication June 29, 2008; revision received February 11, 2009; and accepted February 11, 2009. Article note: Dr. Reem Ameen, P.O. Box 34020, Audiliah, Kuwait, Code 73251, Kuwait; e-mail: reemameen@hotmail.com.