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. 2022 Nov;199(3):411-426.
doi: 10.1111/bjh.18386. Epub 2022 Aug 26.

A case-control and seven-year longitudinal neurocognitive study of adults with sickle cell disease in Ghana

Mary A Ampomah  1 , Jermon A Drake  2 , Adote Anum  3 , Benjamin Amponsah  3 , Yvonne Dei-Adomakoh  4 , Kofi Anie  5   6 , Christopher C Mate-Kole  3   7 , Charles R Jonassaint  8 , Fenella J Kirkham  9   10
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A case-control and seven-year longitudinal neurocognitive study of adults with sickle cell disease in Ghana

Mary A Ampomah et al. Br J Haematol. 2022 Nov.

Abstract

Ageing in sickle cell disease (SCD) is associated with a myriad of end-organ complications, including cerebrovascular damage and cognitive impairment (CI). Although CI is very common in SCD, little is known about cognitive functioning and how it changes with age. This study examines cognitive patterns of 63 adults with SCD and 60 non-SCD, age- and education-matched controls in Ghana. Of those adults with SCD, 34 completed the neuropsychological battery at baseline and again seven years later. In cross-sectional data, adults with SCD performed worse than controls in all cognitive test domains (p < 0.01 for all). The seven-year follow-up data showed that the group exhibited a significant decline in visuospatial abilities (ranging from Cohen's d = 1.40 to 2.38), and to a lesser extent, in processing speed and executive functioning. Exploratory analyses showed a significant time-by-education interaction, indicating that education may be protective from decline in cognitive performance. These findings have implications for clinical practice. Early neuropsychological surveillance coupled with early assessment and remedial programmes will provide avenues for enhancing the quality of life of adults living with SCD in Ghana.

Keywords: cognitive functioning; longitudinal studies; neurocognitive test; psychology; psychosocial; sickle cell disease.

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References

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