Investigating the Impact of HbS Binding to GP1bα on Patients with Sickle Cell Disease

Running head- DISSERTATION PROPOSAL
Dissertation Proposal
Name of the Student
Name of the University
Author Note

1DISSERTATION PROPOSAL
Executive summary
Sickle cell disease encompasses a group of blood related disorders that affect the hemoglobin.
Hemoglobin is the respiratory pigment responsible for delivery of oxygen to all cells and tissues
throughout the body. People suffering from this disorder have abnormal hemoglobin molecule,
called HbS, which distorts red blood cells and converts them to a crescent or sickle shape.
The most common signs and symptoms of this disease include reduction in the count of red
blood cells, recurrent infections, and episodes of pain. It often results in frequent
hospitalizations. Breakdown of these red blood cells result in manifestation of anemia that leds to
fatigue, shortness of breath, and delayed growth among children. It affects millions of people all
over the world and is one of the most common inherited disorders. Research studies have
established links between the disease and platelet cell activation. The report is based on a
research proposal that will investigate impact of HbS binding to GP1bα on patients suffering
from sickle cell disease.

2DISSERTATION PROPOSAL
Table of Contents
Introduction......................................................................................................................................3
Background......................................................................................................................................3
Research objective...........................................................................................................................5
Research aim....................................................................................................................................6
Research hypothesis.........................................................................................................................6
Literature review..............................................................................................................................6
Methodology....................................................................................................................................8
Data analysis....................................................................................................................................9
Ethical considerations....................................................................................................................10
Timeline.........................................................................................................................................11
References......................................................................................................................................12
Appendix........................................................................................................................................16

3DISSERTATION PROPOSAL
Introduction
Sickle cell disease refers to a group of blood stream related disorders that are typically
inherited from the parents. The most common type of sickle cell disease is sickle cell anaemia
which leads to the formation of abnormality in hemoglobin, the oxygen carrying pigment present
in red blood cells. This abnormality results in a rigid sickle like shape of the red blood cells.
Inheritance of two abnormal copies of the gene that produces hemoglobin, one from each of the
parent, results in this disease (Ware et al. 2017). Certain factors that increase susceptibility of a
person to get affected with sickle cell disease are namely, stress, high attitude, temperature
changes, and dehydration. This disease is a major global health concern, owing to the fact that
more than 4.4 million people were found to be affected with it in the year 2015. Approximately
43 million people were found to be carriers of the sickle cell trait in the same here. In addition,
80% prevalence of the disease is found in sub Saharan African regions. It also contributed to
more than 114,800 deaths globally in 2015 (Piel et al. 2013). Previous studies have suggested
that inactivation of blood platelets place a significant role in reducing risk of sickle cell disease,
nearby lowering rates of associated mortality and morbidity (Yawn et al. 2015). This research
proposal will therefore investigate effects of platelet activation on sickle cell disease severity.
Background
Evidence-based nursing refers to the approach that encompasses the process of making
quality decisions in order to provide optimal nursing care to patients. It often combined clinical
expertise, with personal demands and preferences of the patients, and most relevant research
materials available on the related topic (Melnyk et al. 2012). Implementing updated methods of
providing care to patients are accompanied with a thorough critical appraisal of high quality