Sickle Cell

After successful transformative therapy, people with SCD no longer demonstrate an SCD phenotype and experience a reduction in SCD-related morbidities and improvement in quality of life.

Transformative therapies for SCD can be associated with major adverse events, including death.

The decision to proceed with a transformative therapy must take into careful consideration the severity of the SCD, the risk of future SCD complications, and the risks of available transformative therapies.

The expertise and infrastructure to deliver transformative therapies lies within existing Canadian cancer care programs.

Author/s:

Kareem Jamani, Ashley Chopek, Rajat Kumar, Gregory M.T. Guilcher

Use of Recommended Health Care Measures to Prevent Selected Complications of Sickle Cell Anemia in Children and Adolescents — Selected U.S. States, 2019

Aubrey Delammermore — Sat, 24 Sep 2022 05:00:00 +0000

Date Added:

September 24, 2022

Journal/Publication:

Morbidity and Mortality Weekly Report

Publisher:

US Department of Health and Human Services

Publication Date:

September 20, 2022

URL:

Type:

Meta-analyses, Reviews, and Guidelines

Format:

Article

DOI (1):

10.15585/mmwr.mm7139e1

Keywords

MeSH

Patient Acceptance of Health Care

Recommendations from the CDC regarding prevention of complications children with sickle cell anemia. James W. Mold, MD, MPH

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Introduction: Sickle cell disease (SCD), a group of inherited blood cell disorders that primarily affects Black or African American persons, is associated with severe complications and a >20-year reduction in life expectancy. In 2014, an expert panel convened by the National Heart, Lung, and Blood Institute issued recommendations to prevent or reduce complications in children and adolescents with the most severe SCD subtypes, known as sickle cell anemia (SCA); recommendations included 1) annual screening of children and adolescents aged 2–16 years with transcranial Doppler (TCD) ultrasound to identify those at risk for stroke and 2) offering hydroxyurea therapy to children and adolescents aged ≥9 months to reduce the risk for several life-threatening complications.

Methods: Data from the IBM MarketScan Multi-State Medicaid Database were analyzed. TCD screening and hydroxyurea use were examined for 3,352 children and adolescents with SCA aged 2–16 years and continuously enrolled in Medicaid during 2019. Percentage change during 2014–2019 and variation by health subgroups were assessed. Analyses were stratified by age.

Results: During 2014–2019, TCD screening increased 27% among children and adolescents aged 10–16 years; hydroxyurea use increased 27% among children aged 2–9 years and 23% among children and adolescents aged 10–16 years. However, in 2019, only 47% and 38% of children and adolescents aged 2–9 and 10–16 years, respectively, had received TCD screening and 38% and 53% of children and adolescents aged 2–9 years and 10–16 years, respectively, used hydroxyurea. For both prevention strategies, usage was highest among children and adolescents with high levels of health care utilization and evidence of previous complications indicative of severe disease.

Conclusion and Implications for Public Health Practice: Despite increases since 2014, TCD screening and hydroxyurea use remain low among children and adolescents with SCA. Health care providers should implement quality care strategies within their clinics and partner with patients, families, and community-based organizations to address barriers to delivering and receiving recommended care.

Author/s:

Schieve, L. A., Simmons, G. M., Payne, A. B., Abe, K., Hsu, L. L., Hulihan, M., Pope, S., Rhie, S., Dupervil, B., Hooper, W. C.

Coronavirus Disease 2019 (COVID-19): People with Certain Medical Conditions

Devin Evans — Wed, 04 Nov 2020 06:00:00 +0000

Date Added:

November 4, 2020

Publisher:

CDC

Publication Date:

November 2, 2020

URL:

Coronavirus Disease 2019 (COVID-19): People with Certain Medical Conditions

Type:

Patient Education Materials

Format:

Article

Keywords

COVID-19

coronavirus

underlying medical conditions

MeSH

severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2

masks

A summary for patients of conditions that could put them at increased risk for severe COVID-19 infection and measures they can do to reduce their risk. James W. Mold, MD, MPH

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Revisions were made on November 2, 2020 to reflect recent data supporting increased risk of severe illness during pregnancy from the virus that causes COVID-19. Revisions also include addition of sickle cell disease and chronic kidney disease to the conditions that might increase the risk of severe illness among children.

We are learning more about COVID-19 every day. The below list of underlying medical conditions is not exhaustive and only includes conditions with sufficient evidence to draw conclusions; it is a living document that may be updated at any time, subject to potentially rapid change as the science evolves. This list is meant to inform clinicians to help them provide the best care possible for patients, and to inform individuals as to what their level of risk may be so they can make individual decisions about illness prevention. Notably, the list may not include every condition that might increase one’s risk for developing severe illness from COVID-19, such as those for which evidence may be limited or nonexistent (e.g., rare conditions). Individuals with any underlying condition (including those conditions that are NOT on the current list) should consult with their healthcare providers about personal risk factors and circumstances to determine whether extra precautions are warranted.

Author/s:

Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC)