Salbutamol add-on administration improves the oxygen saturation levels in sickle cell disease patients admitted in ICU

SUMMARY BACKGROUND Patients with sickle cell disease (SCD) frequently experience vaso-occlusive crises, which can affect the lungs and cause respiratory complications. The potential benefits of bronchodilator therapy, such as salbutamol, on blood oxygen saturation (BOS) remain underexplored. This study evaluated the benefits of adjunctive salbutamol therapy on BOS levels in SCD patients. METHODS This retrospective cohort study included SCD patients admitted to the intensive care unit of Monkole Hospital Center, in Kinshasa, between 1 June 2018 and 30 June 2024. BOS levels were recorded at admission and on days 3 and 7. Linear mixed-effects models assessed the longitudinal evolution of BOS, stratified by salbutamol therapy status. RESULTS A total of 134 visits from 53 unique patients (mean age: 26.1 years; 52.2% female) were recorded. At admission, BOS was significantly lower in the salbutamol group. BOS increased over time in both groups: 0.3% per day (95% confidence interval [CI]: 0.2%–0.5%) in the non-salbutamol group versus 1.9% per day (95% CI: 1.3%–2.6%) in the salbutamol group, with a slight deceleration, reaching similar levels by day 7. CONCLUSION This study demonstrated marked improvement in BOS in hospitalised SCD patients receiving salbutamol, suggesting potential benefit, particularly in cases of acute pulmonary complications.