Sana’a University Journal of Medicine and Health Sciences

Background and Objectives: The internal structure of bones is described in terms of their quality or density, which reflects a number of biomechanical properties, such as strength and elastic modulus. Bone density refers to the concentration of minerals, particularly calcium and phosphorus, present in a given volume of bone tissue. It plays a vital role in determining bone strength, contributing approximately 60% of the overall structural integrity of bones. The study aims were to obtain baseline data on bone density of the maxilla and mandible in normal Yemeni individuals across various anatomical regions, genders, and age groups.

Materials and methods: retrospective analyzed study for CBCT images of 150 mandibular and 150 maxillary jaws from adults with full dentition in Sana’a City, Yemen. Scans were acquired using the PaxFlex3DP2 system and analyzed with Ez3Di and THEIA software.

Results: The mean bone density values in maxillary and mandibular jaw for normal Yemeni people aged between (18-64y) ranged between (1036-1721 HU) for different maxillary areas and (1394.6-2099 HU) for different mandibular areas. The highest bone density was observed in both the mandible and maxilla between the central and lateral incisors, decreasing posteriorly in both jaws. Overall, no significant differences in bone density were found between males and females in most regions. However, in the maxilla, females showed significantly higher density between the first and second molars (P < 0.01). In the mandible, a significant difference was observed only between the central and lateral incisors, where females had higher density (P < 0.01). Age-related analysis revealed that the 31–45 age group had the highest bone density in both jaws (P < 0.01), with a gradual decline in older groups.

Conclusion: Bone density in Yemenis showed the highest values, one of the highest values ​​compared to other nations. The lower jaw in Yemenis showed higher bone density than the upper jaw, with the highest values ​​recorded in the anterior regions.

Background: Sickle cell anemia (SCA) is a hereditary hemoglobin disorder characterized by chronic hemolysis, vaso-occlusive crises, and a hypercoagulable state. Elevated D-dimer levels have been associated with increased thrombotic risk in patients with SCA. However, limited data exists on D-dimer levels in Yemeni patients with SCA.

Objective: This study aimed to assess the plasma D-dimer levels in Yemeni patients with SCA and compare them with those of healthy controls.

Methods: A comparative cross-sectional study was conducted at the Yemen Society for Thalassemia and Genetic Blood Disorders in Sana'a, Yemen from August to December 2024. The study included 100 participants: 50 patients with SCA and 50 age- and sex-matched healthy controls. The plasma D-dimer levels were measured using an automated immunoturbidimetric assay. Hematological parameters were analyzed using an automated hematology analyzer. Statistical analysis was performed using SPSS version 26, and a p-value of <0.05 was considered significant.

Results: The mean D-dimer level in SCA patients was significantly higher (2.5±1.8 mg/L) compared to the control group (0.3±0.14 mg/L) (p=0.000). Hemoglobin levels were significantly lower in the SCA group (9.5±1.5 g/dL) compared to controls (14.7±1.3 g/dL) (p=0.000). SCA patients also exhibited significantly lower RBC counts (3.3±0.8 ×10¹²/L) and higher platelet counts (368.3±133.8 ×10⁹/L) than controls (5.8±0.7 ×10¹²/L and 260.8±48.9 ×10⁹/L, respectively) (p=0.000).

Conclusion: Yemeni patients with SCA exhibited significantly elevated D-dimer levels, suggesting increased coagulation activation and thrombotic risk. These findings highlight the need for further research on thromboprophylactic strategies in this population.

Background and objectives: Preeclampsia is a pregnancy-specific hypertensive disorder contributing to maternal and fetal morbidity and mortality. This study aimed to evaluate CBC abnormalities in pre-eclamptic women at Al-Gomhori Hospital, Sana’a, Yemen.

Methods: A cross-sectional study was conducted from July to December 2024, including 140 pregnant women (70 with preeclampsia and 70 controls with normal pregnancies). Blood samples were analyzed using the Sysmex XN-550 automated hematology analyzer. Statistical analysis was performed using SPSS version 27 with p<0.05 as the significance level.

Results: The mean hemoglobin (HGB) and hematocrit (HCT) levels were slightly higher in the preeclampsia group but not significantly (p=0.069 and p=0.445). However, the red blood cell (RBC) count was significantly higher in preeclamptic women (4.5 ×10¹²/L vs. 4.2 ×10¹²/L, p=0.04). Mean corpuscular hemoglobin concentration (MCHC) was significantly elevated in preeclamptic patients (33.4% vs. 32.7%, p=0.01). Platelet count was significantly lower in preeclamptic women (197.9 ×10⁹/L vs. 266.7 ×10⁹/L, p=0.000), with 24.3% having thrombocytopenia. Additionally, mean platelet volume (MPV) was significantly higher in preeclamptic patients (10.7 fL vs. 8.7 fL, p=0.000). WBC counts were similar, but lymphocyte, monocyte, eosinophil, and basophil percentages were lower in preeclamptic women.

Conclusion: Hematological changes, including thrombocytopenia, increased MPV, and elevated RBC and MCHC levels, are significant in preeclamptic women. These CBC parameters may be useful markers for early detection and management of preeclampsia. Further research is needed to explore their clinical implications.

ABSTRACT

Background: Sickle cell anemia (SCA) is a genetic disorder characterized by chronic hemolysis, vaso-occlusive crises, and oxidative stress, which contribute to disease severity and complications. Zinc, an essential trace element with antioxidant properties, plays a vital role in reducing oxidative stress and maintaining cellular function. This study aimed to evaluate serum zinc levels and their relationship to hematological parameters in Yemeni patients with sickle cell anemia.

Materials and Methods: This was a comparative cross-sectional study conducted at the Yemen Society for Thalassemia and Genetic Blood Disorders in Sana’a, Yemen. A total of 104 participants were recruited, including 52 patients with SCA (HbSS) in a steady state and 52 age- and sex-matched healthy controls (HbAA). Serum zinc levels and hematological parameters were measured using spectrophotometry and automated hematology analyzers, respectively. Statistical analysis was performed using SPSS version 26, with a significance threshold of P < 0.05.

Results: The mean serum zinc level was significantly lower in SCA patients (73.8 ± 36.6 µg/dL) compared to controls (96.7 ± 38.7 µg/dL) (P = 0.003). Hematological parameters showed that SCA patients had significantly lower hemoglobin (Hb), red blood cell (RBC) count, and packed cell volume (PCV) (P < 0.001), whereas white blood cell (WBC) and platelet counts were significantly elevated (P < 0.001) compared to controls. There was a weak negative correlation between serum zinc level and hemoglobin (r = -0.122, P = 0.389), and a weak positive correlation between zinc and platelet count (r = 0.075, P = 0.596) as well as zinc and WBC count (r = 0.098, P = 0.489), though none of these correlations were statistically significant.

Conclusion: This study revealed significant zinc deficiency among Yemeni patients with sickle cell anemia (SCA). Although we observed differences in hematological parameters between patients with SCA and controls, zinc levels showed no significant correlation with these parameters. Further clinical research is needed to determine whether zinc supplementation could benefit SCA patients in Yemen.