Screening of Cognitive Dysfunction Using the Montreal Cognitive Assessment Test and Evaluation of Neurologic Complications in Turkish Adults With Sickle Cell Anemia

Objective: To screen cognitive functions using the Montreal Cognitive Assessment (MoCA) test and to determine the most common central nervous system complications in adults with sickle cell anemia (SCA). Materials and Methods: One hundred adult patients with SCA and 82 healthy controls participated in this study. Controls were matched for age, sex, and education level. We reviewed the demographic information and laboratory values of all patients. The patients were questioned about common CNS complications including headache, ischemic or hemorrhagic stroke, epilepsy, and cerebral venous sinus thrombosis. The MoCA test was used to assess neurocognitive function in all participants. Results: Of the 100 patients with SCA, 38 patients had chronic or recurrent headaches, 10 had a history of depression, and four patients had a history of ischemic stroke. None of the patients had a history of epilepsy, hemorrhagic stroke or cerebral venous sinus thrombosis. The median MoCA score of the patients was significantly decreased compared with that of the control group (p