Trusted Resources: Evidence & Education
Scientific literature and patient education texts
Chronic Pulmonary Complications of Sickle Cell Disease
source: CHEST
year: 2016
authors: Mehari A, Klings ES
summary/abstract:Sickle cell disease (SCD), the most common genetic hemolytic anemia worldwide, affects 250,000 births annually. In the United States, SCD affects approximately 100,000 individuals, most of African descent. Hemoglobin S (HbS) results from a glutamate-to-valine mutation of the sixth codon of the β-hemoglobin allele; the homozygous genotype (HbSS) is associated with the most prevalent and severe form of the disease. Other SCD genotypes include HbSC, composed of one HbS allele and one HbC (glutamate-to-lysine mutation) allele; and HbS-β-thalassemia(0) or HbS-β-thalassemia(+), composed of one HbS allele and one β-thalassemia allele with absent or reduced β-chain production, respectively. Despite advances in care, median survival remains in the fifth decade, due in large part to chronic complications of the disease. Chronic pulmonary complications in SCD are major contributors to this early mortality. Although our understanding of these conditions has improved much over the past 10 to 15 years, there remains no specific treatment for pulmonary complications of SCD. It is unclear whether conventional treatment regimens directed at non-SCD populations have equivalent efficacy in patients with SCD. This represents a critical research need. In this review, the authors review the state-of-the-art understanding of the following pulmonary complications of SCD: (1) pulmonary hypertension; (2) venous thromboembolic disease; (3) sleep-disordered breathing; (4) asthma and recurrent wheezing; and (5) pulmonary function abnormalities. This review highlights the advances as well as the knowledge gaps in this field to update clinicians and other health care providers and to garner research interest from the medical community.
organization: Howard University College of Medicine, Washington, DC; Boston University School of MedicineDOI: 10.1016/j.chest.2015.11.016
read more full text
Related Content
-
Sickle Cell Trait, Rhabdomyolysis, and Mortality among U.S. Army SoldiersBACKGROUND: Studies have suggested that...
-
Men with sickle cell disease show significant concerns over safety while being treated for vaso-occlusive crises: pr...Background: We undertook a large multisi...
-
New treatment plan leads to better pain control for acute sickle cell crisisThere’s new hope for the 70,000 to 80,...
-
Mental Health Resources for Black, Indigenous and People of Color (BIPOC)In addition to COVID-19, recent events h...
-
Dr. Doris Wethers, 91, on Front Lines against Sickle Cell, DiesDr. Doris L. Wethers, who broke racial b...
-
Patients With Sickle Cell Disease may Have Lower Risk for C. DifficileFindings from a retrospective cohort stu...
-
Black Americans With Sickle Cell Trait At Increased Risk Of Kidney DiseaseAfrican Americans with sickle cell trait...
To improve your experience on this site, we use cookies. This includes cookies essential for the basic functioning of our website, cookies for analytics purposes, and cookies enabling us to personalize site content. By clicking on 'Accept' or any content on this site, you agree that cookies can be placed. You may adjust your browser's cookie settings to suit your preferences. More Information
The cookie settings on this website are set to "allow cookies" to give you the best browsing experience possible. If you continue to use this website without changing your cookie settings or you click "Accept" below then you are consenting to this.