Abstract
Objectives: Despite the numerous advances in management strategies, treating osteomyelitis in individuals with sickle cell disease (SCD) remains a significant challenge, leading to severe long-term consequences. This study aimed to assess the key factors potentially linked to a complex progression of osteomyelitis in patients diagnosed with SCD. Methods: A cohort of 34 patients was identified and their progress was monitored over a span of 12 months during a 10-year period (2010–2020). The variables under investigation encompassed demographic and clinical traits, laboratory analyses and imaging data, as well as the treatment strategies employed. Results: The risk prediction model pinpointed 5 factors (severity of SCD, involvement of lower limbs, presence of bacteraemia, magnetic resonance image [MRI] findings and utilisation of surgical debridement) that exhibited an area under the curve (AUC) exceeding 0.7. Causative organisms were identified in 9 out of the total 34 patients (26.47%). A total of 17 patients displayed a severe course of SCD (AUC = 7.88), with MRI being highlighted as a valuable contributing factor (AUC = 7.88). Furthermore, 13 patients (38.2%) underwent surgical debridement, a procedure that yielded a statistically significant P value of 0.012 and an AUC of 0.714. Conclusion: Osteomyelitis within the context of severe SCD, particularly when accompanied by lower extremity infection, bacteraemia, positive MRI findings and the need for surgical debridement, emerges as a cluster of risk factors predisposing individuals to osteomyelitis relapse and a more complex disease course. Keywords: Anemia, sickle cell; Bacteremia; Debridement; Disease Severity; Osteomyelitis.
Publication details
- DOI
- 10.18295/squmj.12.2023.083
- Journal
- Sultan Qaboos University Medical Journal, 24(1), 58-62
- Publisher
- Sultan Qaboos University
- Open access
- Gold open access
- License
- CC BY-ND 4.0
Cite this article
APA 7
Al Hashmi, A. Z., Al Fazari, E., Al Ward, M., Al Masruri, R., Al Balushi, S., Al Mutani, M., Al Ghaithi, A., & Al Baluki, W. (2025). Predictors of Developing a Complex Course of Osteomyelitis in Patients with Sickle Cell Anaemia. Sultan Qaboos University Medical Journal, 24(1), 58-62. https://doi.org/10.18295/squmj.12.2023.083
MLA 9
Al Hashmi, Al Zahra, et al. "Predictors of Developing a Complex Course of Osteomyelitis in Patients with Sickle Cell Anaemia." Sultan Qaboos University Medical Journal, vol. 24, no. 1, 2025, pp. 58-62. https://doi.org/10.18295/squmj.12.2023.083.
Chicago (author–date)
Al Hashmi, Al Zahra, Ethar Al Fazari, Mustafa Al Ward, Reema Al Masruri, Shahad Al Balushi, Mohammed Al Mutani, Ahmed Al Ghaithi, and Wafa Al Baluki. 2025. "Predictors of Developing a Complex Course of Osteomyelitis in Patients with Sickle Cell Anaemia." Sultan Qaboos University Medical Journal 24 (1): 58-62. https://doi.org/10.18295/squmj.12.2023.083.
Harvard
Al Hashmi, A. Z., Al Fazari, E., Al Ward, M., Al Masruri, R., Al Balushi, S., Al Mutani, M., Al Ghaithi, A. and Al Baluki, W. (2025) 'Predictors of Developing a Complex Course of Osteomyelitis in Patients with Sickle Cell Anaemia', Sultan Qaboos University Medical Journal, 24(1), pp. 58-62. doi:10.18295/squmj.12.2023.083.
Vancouver
Al Hashmi AZ, Al Fazari E, Al Ward M, Al Masruri R, Al Balushi S, Al Mutani M, et al. Predictors of Developing a Complex Course of Osteomyelitis in Patients with Sickle Cell Anaemia. Sultan Qaboos University Medical Journal. 2025;24(1):58-62. doi:10.18295/squmj.12.2023.083
IEEE
A. Z. Al Hashmi, E. Al Fazari, M. Al Ward, R. Al Masruri, S. Al Balushi, M. Al Mutani, A. Al Ghaithi, and W. Al Baluki, "Predictors of Developing a Complex Course of Osteomyelitis in Patients with Sickle Cell Anaemia," Sultan Qaboos University Medical Journal, vol. 24, no. 1, pp. 58-62, 2025, doi: 10.18295/squmj.12.2023.083.