L-Glutamine and Crizanlizumab for Adults with Sickle Cell Disease (SCD) in Qatar: A Cost Effectiveness Analysis

Abstract Background :Sickle cell disease (SCD) is a hereditary disease that is caused by autosomal recessive gene fault in the beta (β) allele of the hemoglobin (Hb) gene. As a result, sickled cells are characterized by easy and abnormal hemolysis with resultant varying degrees of anemia. Globally, the incidence of SCD is estimated to reach 400,000 persons per year, and in the United States alone, for example, the prevalence estimation is approximately 100,000 patients. Possible clinical presentations of SCD may come from different pathophysiologic mechanisms: the disfiguration of the RBC with subsequent loss of function can lead to vascular occlusion and a short lifetime of these RBCs that leads to hemolysis. The most severe and serious manifestation of SCD is the recurrent acute pain, or better known as vaso-occlusive crisis (VOC). Additionally, other clinical manifestations that SCD patients may show are acute complications such as acute chest syndrome (ACS), recurrent infections, kidney necrosis, and stroke. Such complications may affect multiple organs and can result in early death. Acute pain crisis is another common complication of SCD and is usually managed with pain medications, especially opioids, This is the first study to address two of novel therapies in patients with SCD in the Middle East. Our study was comprehensive in terms of outcome mostly encountered by SCD patients which is VOC and inclusivity of interventions mostly used for its management and was focused on the target population of in one of areas of high prevalence of SCD in the world. Our analysis tracked the CHEERS guidelines and checklist for reporting. To be also complete, we used only RCT evidence in our analysis. Additionally, in considering VOC, we ensured only studies with a definition compatible with that of the principal Crizanlizumab study were analyzed. Objectives: Treatment options for preventing vaso-occlusive crises (VOC) among sickle cell disease (SCD) patients are on the rise, especially if hydroxyurea treatment has failed. This economic analysis is conducted to assess the comparative clinical effectiveness, safety and acquisition cost of L-glutamine and Crizanlizumab for older adolescent and adults (≥16 years old) SCD in Qatar, with an emphasis on treatment costs and acute pain crises. Methods: We conduct a decision tree model, where we compare the clinical and economic outcomes of two novel FDA-approved medications which are available in Qatar; L-glutamine and Crizanlizumab over a time horizon of one year in a hypothetical cohort of adult SCD patients from a Qatar healthcare perspective. The main outcome is incremental cost per SCD-related acute pain crises averted. Model clinical parameters were derived from individual drug randomized trials, published literature, whereas cost parameters from Qatar healthcare payer system. A sensitivity analysis was carried out, and the study results were robust around model inputs. Costs were converted to 2020 US dollars. Results: Study results showed that both treatment modalities' costs were the main driver of this analysis, with average annual cost of the treatments per patient being $189,014 for Crizanlizumab (5mg/Kg), $143,798 Crizanlizumab (2.5mg/Kg) and $74,323 for L-glutamine. The probability of no first time SCD-related VOC averted were 0.001/year for Glutamine, 0.26/year for Crizanlizumab (5mg/Kg) and 0.34/year for Crizanlizumab (2.5mg/Kg). Lower dose Crizanlizumab (2.5mg/Kg) dominated the higher one (5mg/Kg). The ICER of Crizanlizumab (2.5mg/Kg), when compared to L-Glutamine was $81,265 per SCD-related VOC averted. When comparing Crizanlizumab (5mg/Kg) and L-Glutamine, Crizanlizumab (5mg/Kg) showed higher efficacy, yet the Crizanlizumab ICER was at $459,620 than L-glutamine. Conclusions: Crizanlizumab (2.5mg/Kg) may be cost-effective interventions yet it is not the approved dose for preventing VOC in adolescents and adults with sickle cell disease. Crizanlizumab (5mg/Kg) was more cost effective than the approved L-glutamine per SCD vaso-occlusive crisis prevented. Figure 1 Figure 1. Disclosures No relevant conflicts of interest to declare.

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Hydroxyurea Treatment for Sickle Cell Disease

The Scientific World JOURNAL ◽

10.1100/tsw.2002.295 ◽

2002 ◽

Vol 2 ◽

pp. 1706-1728 ◽

Cited By ~ 13

Author(s):

Martin H. Steinberg

Keyword(s):

Sickle Cell Disease ◽

Sickle Cell ◽

Fetal Hemoglobin ◽

Hemoglobin Concentration ◽

Pharmacologic Therapy ◽

Acute Chest Syndrome ◽

Cell Disease ◽

Globin Chains ◽

Hydroxyurea Treatment ◽

Erythroid Precursors

High fetal hemoglobin (HbF) levels inhibit the polymerization of sickle hemoglobin (HbS) and reduce the complications of sickle cell disease. Pharmacologic agents that can reverse the switch from γ- to β-chain synthesis — γ-globin chains characterize HbF, and sickle β-globin chains are present in HbS — or selectively increase the proportion of adult erythroid precursors that maintain the ability to produce HbF are therapeutically useful. Hydroxyurea promotes HbF production by perturbing the maturation of erythroid precursors. This treatment increases the total hemoglobin concentration, reduces the vaso-occlusive complications of pain and acute chest syndrome, and attenuates mortality in adults. It is a promising beginning for pharmacologic therapy of sickle cell disease. Still, its effects are inconsistent, trials in infants and children are ongoing, and its ultimate value — and peril — when started early in life are still unknown.

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Alterations of Hemoglobin Fractionation in a Sickle Cell Disease Patient on Voxelotor Therapy

American Journal of Clinical Pathology ◽

10.1093/ajcp/aqaa161.220 ◽

2020 ◽

Vol 154 (Supplement_1) ◽

pp. S100-S101

Author(s):

S S Karimi ◽

H Ni ◽

L L Hsu

Keyword(s):

Sickle Cell Disease ◽

Sickle Cell ◽

Exchange Transfusion ◽

Recent Literature ◽

Disease Patient ◽

Oxygen Affinity ◽

Treatment Modalities ◽

Cell Disease ◽

Low Oxygen ◽

Hydroxyurea Treatment

Abstract Introduction/Objective Voxelotor is a molecule that allosterically binds to the alpha-chain of hemoglobin, resulting in increased oxygen affinity. This allosteric inhibition leads to prevention of hemoglobin polymerization and sickling of red blood cells in response to low oxygen tension. Voxelotor has been used to treat patients with Sickle Cell Disease (SCD) and recent literature indicates it may contribute to complex hemoglobin fractionation (HF) elution patterns. We report a novel case of a SCD patient on concurrent Hydroxyurea, Voxelotor and chronic RBC exchange transfusion treatment and discuss the implications of these three treatment modalities on HF and monitoring of SCD. Methods A 17-year-old female with SCD complicated by frequent vaso-occlusive crisis, and avascular necrosis managed with chronic RBC exchange and Hydroxyurea. Her HF prior to initiation of Voxelotor treatment showed 3.2% HbA2, 51% HbA, 6.0% HbF, and 41% HbS. Voxelotor therapy was initiated at 1500mg/day and HF was performed 10 days later. Whole blood was collected and subjected to High Performance Liquid Chromatography (HPLC) with reflex to RBC solubility and Capillary Electrophoresis. Results HF performed post-Voxelotor therapy revealed positive sickle solubility with a complex pattern of 2.7% HbA2, 49.2% HbA, 5.3% HbF, 15.7% HbS, 0% HbC, and two additional peaks of a 6.3% peak in the window-D region (retention time of 4.34) and 20.8% of an atypical Hb peak pattern (at the retentuin time of 4.18). The results reflected a complex HF of a HbSS patient on concurrent chronic RBC exchange transfusion, hydroxyurea therapy, and Voxelotor treatment. Post Voxelotor-therapy HF revealed a reduction in HbS from 41% to 15.7% with the emergence of two additional peaks. Chronic RBC exchange transfusion and Hydroxyurea treatment account for the observed fractionation of HbA and HbF, respectively. Based on recent literature, we attribute the emergence of the two additional peaks to Voxelotor therapy. All three therapies led to reduction in HbS. Conclusion Routine HF serves as an essential modality in diagnosis and monitoring of SCD. Voxelotor treatment alters the HF profile and may cause difficulty for interpretation. With the emergence of novel therapies, it is imperative for clinicians to provide medication information to clinical laboratories and pathologists to be fully aware of the effects of current treatments to correctly interpret and monitor SCD.

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Clinical events in the first decade in a cohort of infants with sickle cell disease. Cooperative Study of Sickle Cell Disease [see comments]

Blood ◽

10.1182/blood.v86.2.776.bloodjournal862776 ◽

1995 ◽

Vol 86 (2) ◽

pp. 776-783 ◽

Cited By ~ 321

Author(s):

FM Gill ◽

LA Sleeper ◽

SJ Weiner ◽

AK Brown ◽

R Bellevue ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Sickle Cell Disease ◽

Sickle Cell ◽

Clinical Course ◽

The United States ◽

Beta Thalassemia ◽

Acute Chest Syndrome ◽

Cooperative Study ◽

Cell Disease ◽

Splenic Sequestration ◽

Clinical Events

Within the Cooperative Study of Sickle Cell Disease, 694 infants with confirmed sickle cell disease were enrolled at less than 6 months of age. Information about the nature and frequency of complications was collected prospectively over a 10-year period. Painful crises and acute chest syndrome were the most common sickle cell-related events in homozygous sickle cell anemia (SS), hemoglobin SC disease (SC), and S beta thalassemia patients (overall incidence in SS patients of 32.4 and 24.5 cases per 100 person-years, respectively). Bacteremia occurred most frequently in SS children under 4 years of age and in SC patients less than 2 years of age. The mortality rate was low in this cohort compared with that found in previous reports. Twenty children, all with Hb SS, died (1.1 deaths per 100 person-years among SS patients). Infection, most commonly with Streptococcus pneumoniae and Hemophilus influenzae, caused 11 deaths. Two children died of splenic sequestration, 1 of cerebrovascular accident, and 6 of unclear causes. Two patients underwent cholecystectomies, and 17 underwent splenectomies after one or more splenic sequestration crises. The experience of this cohort should reflect closely the true clinical course of those children with Hb SS and Hb SC disease who are observed in sickle cell centers in the United States.

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Abnormal Pulmonary Function in Adults with Sickle Cell Disease: Association of Decreased DLCO with Systemic Disease.

Blood ◽

10.1182/blood.v106.11.316.316 ◽

2005 ◽

Vol 106 (11) ◽

pp. 316-316 ◽

Cited By ~ 4

Author(s):

Elizabeth S. Klings ◽

Diego F. Wyszynski ◽

Vikki G. Nolan ◽

Martin H. Steinberg

Keyword(s):

Sickle Cell Disease ◽

Pulmonary Function ◽

Sickle Cell ◽

Pulmonary Function Tests ◽

Systemic Disease ◽

The United States ◽

Acute Chest Syndrome ◽

Cell Disease ◽

Restrictive Physiology ◽

Abnormal Pulmonary Function

Abstract Pulmonary complications of sickle cell disease (SCD), including acute chest syndrome, pulmonary hypertension (PH) and pulmonary fibrosis, are common. Dyspnea and hypoxemia are equally common in this population. It is likely that pulmonary function tests (PFT) are abnormal in the SCD population, however, no extensive study has been reported to date. Moreover, the relationship between abnormal pulmonary function and other manifestations of SCD, such as PH, is unclear. We hypothesized that abnormalities of pulmonary function, particularly a low diffusion capacity for carbon monoxide (DLCO), may be associated with other complications of SCD. The Cooperative Study of Sickle Cell Disease (CSSCD) enrolled and followed more than 4,000 SCD patients who had visited one of 23 participating clinical centers across the United States between 1978 and 1998. Data were collected on many complications of the disease, and standardized collection of PFTs were part of the protocol. From the more than 1300 CSSCD patients who had the results of PFTs recorded, 310 adults (age≥ 20 years of age) homozygous for the Hb S gene without coincident α thalassemia and with sufficient data were identified. Predicted values for FEV1, FVC, FEV1/FVC, TLC, RV and DLCO were calculated using algorithms that accounted for gender, age, and height in the African American population (using STATA, version 9); data are presented as percent predicted. Based on criteria established by the American Thoracic Society, subjects were sub-classified into 7 groups: obstructive physiology; restrictive physiology; mixed obstructive/restrictive disease; low lung volumes with normal spirometry (LLV); LLV with a low DLCO, isolated low DLCO, or normal. The association of blood counts and serum chemistries between patients with low DLCO compared with those with a normal DLCO was assessed by multivariate linear regression (using SAS software version 8.2). Normal PFTs were present in only 31 of 310 (10 %) SCD patients. Overall, the adult SCD population was characterized by decreased total lung capacities (70.2 + 14.7% predicted) and DLCO (64.5 + 19.9 % predicted adjusted for hemoglobin concentration). The most common PFT patterns observed were restrictive physiology (35.8%), LLV with normal spirometry (34.2% of patients), and an isolated low DLCO (12.9%). The presence of a low DLCO was associated with an elevated platelet count (p=0.05), hepatic dysfunction [elevated ALT (p=0.07) with elevated AST (p=0.01)] and renal dysfunction [elevated BUN and creatinine (p=0.05, 0.07)]. Restrictive disease is marginally associated with a decrease in hematocrit (p=0.07) and Hb F levels (p=0.07). Pulmonary function is abnormal in 90% of adult SCD patients. Common abnormalities include restrictive physiology, LLV with normal spirometry and a decreased DLCO. The presence of a decreased DLCO may be a marker of more severe systemic disease that includes impaired renal and hepatic function and possibly complications of hemolytic anemia such as PH.

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Hematological Changes from Baseline in Children with Sickle Cell Disease Admitted for Acute Chest Syndrome Compared to Acute Pain Crisis

Blood ◽

10.1182/blood-2018-99-118977 ◽

2018 ◽

Vol 132 (Supplement 1) ◽

pp. 4909-4909

Author(s):

Timothy Klouda ◽

Nataly Apollonsky ◽

Deepti Raybagkar ◽

Bruce Bernstein

Keyword(s):

Sickle Cell Disease ◽

Sickle Cell ◽

Acute Pain ◽

Neutrophil Count ◽

Laboratory Data ◽

Acute Chest Syndrome ◽

Cell Disease ◽

History Of ◽

Pain Crisis ◽

Hematological Changes

Abstract Title: Hematological Changes from Baseline in Children with Sickle Cell Disease Admitted for Acute Chest Syndrome Compared to Acute Pain Crisis Authors: Timothy Klouda1, Deepti. Raybagkar2, Bruce Bernstein1, Nataly Apollonsky2, Institutes:1Pediatrics, St Christopher's Hospital for Children, Philadelphia, PA, United States, 2Hematology, St Christopher's Hospital for Children, Philadelphia, PA, United States, Introduction: Children with Sickle Cell Disease suffer from multiple complications including acute pain crisis (VOC) and acute chest syndrome (ACS). Nearly 30% of children with SCD have had one episode of ACS, with the incidence higher in early childhood. The proposed pathophysiology of ACS is thought to be multi-factorial, with pulmonary fat embolism or infectious etiology being identified in a large number of patients. Increased sickling due to hypoxemia or pain has been shown to place patients at risk for ACS development., Studies have shown an increase in inflammatory markers including leukocytes and neutrophils, along with a decreased hemoglobin in SCD children who developed ACS, but no studies to date have compared laboratory changes during the acute illness to their baseline values. We hypothesized that children with SCD who are admitted for ACS will have a larger decrease in hemoglobin from baseline and a higher increase in white blood cell count from baseline when compared to those admitted for an acute pain crisis. Methods: Through retrospective chart review of patients with SCD admitted to St.Christopher's Hospital for Children we identified 45 patients with ACS. Laboratory data collected on admission from chart review included SCD genotype, age, BMI, hemoglobin, white blood cell count, absolute neutrophil count, absolute eosinophil count, platelets, reticulocyte count, hemoglobin F, vital signs and medication history. All 45 children had laboratory data collected from an acute pain crisis that occurred during a different admission for comparison. Collected data was compared to baseline laboratory data, collected during routine visit at sickle cell clinic within 1 year of admission. Changes in laboratory data from baseline during admission for ACS were compared to changes during admission for uncomplicated VOC. Results: Children with SCD who were admitted or developed ACS during admission had a larger increase in leukocyte count (6.99 vs 4.18, p=0.027) and neutrophil count (6.3 vs 3.74, p=0.04) from baseline compared to those admitted for VOC alone. Patients with ACS development also had a larger decrease in platelets (-124.74 vs -56.21, p=.047) from baseline when compared to VOC admissions. There was no statistically significant change from baseline labs when comparing hemoglobin (p=0.10), eosinophil count (p=.382), reticulocyte count (p=0.754), AST (p=0.061) and ALT (p=0.082) in the ACS and VOC groups. Children with a history of 2 or more lifetime ACS were more likely to have OSA (p=0.021), 3 or more VOCs in the past year (p=0.002), and a history of splenectomy, but it was not found to be statistically significant (p=0.155) Conclusion: Children with SCD who developed or were admitted with ACS had a significant increase in leukocyte and neutrophil count from baseline, and a decrease in platelets when compared to VOC admissions. There was no significant change from baseline in hemoglobin, reticulocyte and eosinophils detected. Future larger and multi-center prospective studies need to be performed to confirm the various changes identified in hematological markers seen in ACS vs VOC. Disclosures No relevant conflicts of interest to declare.

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Predictors of Adverse Outcomes in Hospitalized Adult Patients with Sickle Cell Disease.

Blood ◽

10.1182/blood.v106.11.3197.3197 ◽

2005 ◽

Vol 106 (11) ◽

pp. 3197-3197

Author(s):

Fahd Rahman ◽

Roy N. Gay ◽

Samir K. Ballas ◽

Juan C. Zubieta ◽

Zekarias Berhane ◽

...

Keyword(s):

At Risk ◽

Logistic Regression ◽

Sickle Cell Disease ◽

Sickle Cell ◽

Acute Pain ◽

Reticulocyte Count ◽

Laboratory Data ◽

Adverse Outcomes ◽

Acute Chest Syndrome ◽

Cell Disease

Abstract The identification of patients with sickle cell disease at risk of serious complications at the time of hospital admission can help stratify patients who will need aggressive management. We identified predictors associated with adverse outcomes such as frequent hospitalizations, acute pain crises and acute chest syndromes. To that end, we retrospectively reviewed medical records of 265 adult sickle cell disease patients, hospitalized between 1/1/98 and 2/3/05 at Mercy Catholic Medical Center, with complete clinical and laboratory data. 195/73.6% had HbSS and the rest had HbSC, HbSβ-thal0,HbS-βthal+or HbSOarab disease. 59 variables were considered including demographic, hematological, biochemical, clinical and treatment data. Logistic regression models were used to obtain associations between variables, and to adjust for confounding effects. Analysis showed that adverse events during admission included acute pain crises in 249/94%, acute chest syndromes in 25/9.4% and strokes in 5/1.9% patients. Other outcomes were a greater than 2 hospitalizations per year 82/31.9%, more than 2 pain crises per year 145/54.7%, transfusion required during admission 72/27.2%, length of hospital stay more than 5 days 105/39.6% and death during hospitalization 13/4.9%. Multivariate logistic regression analysis revealed 21 factors with statistically significant associations. A reticulocyte count greater than 1.5 (OR 3.98, CI 1.48–10.69, P.006) and employment status (OR .31, CI .13-.75, P.009) were associated with more admissions per year. History of acute chest syndrome (OR 5.33, CI 1.7–16.77, P.004), reticulocyte count greater than 1.5 (OR 3.46, CI .91–13.11, P.067) and care provided by a nonhematologist (OR 5.04, CI 1.7–14.95, P.0035) were linked with more pain crises per year. Pain crises during admission were associated with HbSS disease (OR 9.31, CI 2.17–39.9, P.01) and out patient folate therapy(OR 6.23, CI 1.45–26.84, P.003). Patients with leukocytosis (OR 3.41, CI 1.2–9.67, P.02) and a higher serum glucose level (OR 7.54, CI 2.6–21.86, P.0002) were linked to more acute chest syndromes. Females (OR .1, CI .03–.37, P.0004) were at lower risk of having acute chest syndromes. Outpatient folate therapy (OR .07, CI .007–.69, P.02) was associated with lower numbers of acute neurological events. Patients with initial hemoglobin levels less than 7 g/dL (OR 1.99, CI 1–4, P.0007) and prolonged hospitalization (OR 7.06, CI 3.63–13.74, P.0001) frequently required transfusions. Variant diseases (OR .28, CI .13–.58, P.05) required fewer transfusions. Deaths during hospitalization were lower with folate therapy (OR .18, CI .05–.63, P.007) and a transfusion requirement during admission (OR 5.07, CI 1.45–17.64, P.01) predicted more deaths. HbSS patients (OR 2.52, CI 1.1–5.8, P.03), substance abusers (OR 2.93, CI 1.21–7.08, P.01), those requiring antihistamines during admission (OR 3.33, CI 1.38–8.03, P.007), or requiring more than 2 hospitalizations per year (OR 2.62, CI 1.26–5.43, P.009) had hospital stays longer than 5 days while in females odds were low for this outcome (OR .30, CI .15–.59, P.0005). In conclusion, simple tools like a complete history, physical examination, demographic and laboratory data can help clinicians and health care providers to gauge severity of the illness and deliver tailored management protocols targeting these “at risk” sickle cell disease patients.

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Stem Cell Transplantation for Children with Sickle Cell Anemia: Factors Associated with Parent and Patient Interest

Blood ◽

10.1182/blood.v118.21.1079.1079 ◽

2011 ◽

Vol 118 (21) ◽

pp. 1079-1079

Author(s):

Roth Michael ◽

Julie Krystal ◽

Deepa Manwani ◽

Catherine Driscoll ◽

Rosanna J. Ricafort

Keyword(s):

Stem Cell ◽

Sickle Cell Disease ◽

Life Span ◽

Disease Severity ◽

Sickle Cell ◽

The United States ◽

Life Goals ◽

Acute Chest Syndrome ◽

Cell Transplant ◽

Cell Disease

Abstract Abstract 1079 BACKGROUND: Sickle cell disease (SCD) is the most common inherited blood disorder in the United States affecting more than 70,000 children and adults. SCD is associated with significant morbidity and mortality with a mean life expectancy of approximately 45 years in patients with more severe Hb SS. Allogeneic hematopoietic stem cell transplant (HSCT) is the only curative treatment for sickle cell disease. Currently hematologists consider HSCT only for patients with a history of multiple pain crises, stroke, renal disease and/or multiple episodes of acute chest syndrome. However, factors that influence patients' and parents' interest in HSCT for SCD are not known. METHODS: We designed and administered a 40 question survey to assess the interest in HSCT as a cure for SCD in parents and adolescents with HbSS or HbSBetaThalassemia0. The survey tool assessed factors that may influence interest in HSCT including demographic data, disease severity, views on prognosis and Health Related Quality of Life (PedsQL4.0). All participants were given a handout on the risks and benefits of a HSCT prior to completing the survey. Participants' who responded they definitely or probably would undergo HSCT if recommended by their hematologist were categorized as “likely would undergo HSCT” while participants who responded they would maybe, probably not, or definitely would not undergo HSCT were categorized as “less likely would undergo HSCT”. RESULTS: Ninety parents and 42 adolescents completed the survey, with only 1 parent refusing to participate. Forty six percent (39/85) of parents would likely have their child undergo HSCT and 34% (14/41) of adolescents would likely undergo HSCT if it was recommended by their hematologist. Adolescents with better social function and better overall emotional function were more likely to undergo transplant (50% (10/20) vs. 19% (4/21), p=0.04) (53% (9/17) vs. 21% (5/24), p=0.03), respectively. Parents of children age>7 who believe their child's life span will be shortened secondary to SCD were more likely to undergo transplant (100% (3/3) vs. 35% (15/43), p=0.03). In addition, parents of children who have received an exchange transfusion were more likely to undergo transplant (62% (18/29) vs. 38% (20/53), p=0.04). Disease severity represented by the number of pain crises, episodes of acute chest, or presence of a stroke were not associated with increased parent or adolescent interest in HSCT. In addition, 50% (11/22) of parents of children who would not qualify for HSCT based on current disease severity criteria would likely undergo HSCT. In this cohort, parents who believed their child's disease would not get better were more likely to go forward with transplant (100% (5/5) vs. 31% (5/16), p=0.007). The majority of parents believe their child's sickle cell disease will get better (63% (55/87)), will not likely prevent their child from achieving life goals (83% (71/86)), and will not shorten their child's lifespan (88% (74/84)). Forty six percent (19/41) of adolescents believe their sickle cell disease will get better, 74% (31/42) believe it will not prevent them from achieving life goals, and 64% (27/42) believe sickle cell disease will not shorten their lifespan. CONCLUSIONS: There is a strong interest in HSCT in our patient cohort that was not pre-selected based on disease severity. Parents had an interest in HSCT based on both disease severity and perception of prognosis, while adolescents' interest in HSCT was directly related to higher psychosocial functioning. The current standard inclusion criteria for HSCT for children with SCD exclude a number of children whose parents are interested in HSCT. The finding of perception of a normal life span in the majority of patients and parents is troubling and suggests a need for more thorough education regarding the long term sequelae of SCD and the role for HSCT as a cure. Disclosures: No relevant conflicts of interest to declare.

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PedsQL™ Sickle Cell Disease Module: Feasibility, Reliability and Validity

Blood ◽

10.1182/blood.v120.21.476.476 ◽

2012 ◽

Vol 120 (21) ◽

pp. 476-476

Author(s):

Julie A. Panepinto ◽

Cristiane B. Bendo ◽

Sylvia Torres ◽

Timothy McCavit ◽

Christina J. Bemrich-Stolz ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Sickle Cell Disease ◽

Construct Validity ◽

Sickle Cell ◽

Severe Disease ◽

The United States ◽

Self Report ◽

Measurement Properties ◽

Acute Chest Syndrome ◽

Cell Disease ◽

Parent Proxy

Abstract Abstract 476 Background: Sickle cell disease (SCD) is an inherited chronic disease characterized by complications such as recurrent painful vaso-occlusive events that can require hospitalizations and contribute to early and increased mortality. Prior work using generic health-related quality of life (HRQL) instruments has demonstrated that patients with SCD experience significantly impaired HRQL in their baseline state of health that worsens during acute complications of the disease. To better understand differences in health status in children with SCD, we developed the PedsQL™ SCD Module to measure SCD-specific HRQL. The goal of this study was to determine the measurement properties for the child self- and parent-proxy reports for the newly developed PedsQL™ SCD Module. We hypothesized that the PedsQL™ SCD Module would be feasible and reliable and that children with more severe SCD would have worse HRQL than those with mild disease as measured by the PedsQL™ SCD Module. Methodology: This was a cross-sectional study conducted at 5 sites across the United States. Study participants were children with SCD ages 2–18 years who presented to clinic for a routine visit. HRQL was the main outcome measured with the newly developed 43-item PedsQL™ SCD Module which includes nine scales: Pain/Hurt (PH, 9 items), Pain Impact (PI, 10 items), Pain Management/Control (PMC, 2 items), Worry I (WO1, 5 items), Worry II (WO2, 2 items), Emotions (EM, 2 items), Treatment (TR, 7 items), Communication I (CO1, 3 items), Communication II (CO2, 3 items). Higher scores indicate better HRQL and lower SCD symptoms. Missing items were used to determine feasibility and Cronbach's alpha was used to determine reliability. HRQL of children with mild and severe disease were compared using an independent t-test to determine construct validity. Severe disease was defined as patients with 3 or more hospitalizations for pain in the 3 years prior, history of stroke and/or prior acute chest syndrome. Results: A total of 321 families (313 parents, 243 children ages 5–18 years) completed questionnaires. The average age of the children (46.7% boys) was 9.62 years (SD = 4.88). Feasibility was established, with 3% or less missing data for the module. The PedsQL™ SCD Module was reliable and distinguished between children with mild and severe SCD (Table 1). Conclusions: The PedsQL™ SCD Module performed well and demonstrated strong measurement properties in patients with SCD. Overall, both the parent-proxy report and child self-report differentiated between patients with severe and mild SCD supporting construct validity of the module. Although these are the first results using the PedsQL™ SCD Module, it has shown great potential as being a strong measure of HRQL for patients with SCD. Future studies incorporating the PedsQL™ SCD Module will benefit from the measure's disease-specific scales and overall ability to distinguish between mild and severe symptoms. Continually, these studies will help further define its' measurement properties and advance our knowledge of the HRQL in patients with SCD. Disclosures: Off Label Use: Hydroxyurea is approved for use in sickle cell disease in adults but not children. Varni:Mapi Research Trust: Dr. Varni holds the copyright and the trademark for the PedsQL™ and receives financial compensation from the Mapi Research Trust, which is a nonprofit research institute that charges distribution fees to for-profit companies that use the Pediatric Quality Other, PedsQL™, PedsQL™ Patents & Royalties.

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Hemoglobin F or: How I Learned to Stop Wondering and Love the Flow Cytometer

American Journal of Clinical Pathology ◽

10.1093/ajcp/aqz112.030 ◽

2019 ◽

Vol 152 (Supplement_1) ◽

pp. S15-S16

Author(s):

Roger Fecher ◽

Jui Choudhuri ◽

Mohammad Barouqa ◽

Seda Tolu ◽

Caterina Minniti ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Flow Cytometry ◽

Sickle Cell Disease ◽

Sickle Cell ◽

The United States ◽

Acute Chest Syndrome ◽

Cell Disease ◽

Hemoglobin F ◽

Blood Disorder ◽

Cellular Concentration ◽

Hbf Level

Abstract Sickle cell disease (SCD) is the most common inherited blood disorder in the United States. It is a hemoglobinopathy that leads to red blood cell (RBC) sickling and a broad range of disease complications including vaso-occlusive crisis, acute chest syndrome, and retinopathy. Hydroxyurea, a drug used to treat SCD, is known to increase expression of hemoglobin F (HbF), a type of hemoglobin normally expressed in infancy; HbF levels between 10% and 20% are associated with decreased vaso-occlusive episodes and improved survival. Hereditary persistent hemoglobin F (HPHF), a typically asymptomatic hemoglobinopathy associated with sustained hemoglobin F (HbF) expression into adulthood (HbF >10%), in combination with SCD is associated with decreased complications. Laboratories typically determine the HbF level via high-performance liquid chromatography (HPLC). HbF levels approaching 30% on HPLC are thought to be protective against SCD complications. However, HbF may be found within a majority or minority of RBCs, pancellular (deletional HPHF) or heterocellular distribution (nondeletional HPHF), respectively. Additionally, the quantity of HbF within cells can range from low (<10 picograms/cell) to high (>35 picograms). We sought to determine the quantity and distribution of HbF required to protect against sickle cell disease symptoms both via traditional HPLC as well as flow cytometry. This retrospective study was conducted at a large academic medical center over a period of 2 months (January-February 2019). We collected blood from sickle cell patients that had a detectable HbF level on hemoglobin electrophoresis. We then stained RBCs from 16 of the patients for HbF and performed flow cytometry to examine the HbF distribution. We calculated the cellular concentration of HbF within each HbF+ cell using the formula (MHC × %HbF)/%F-cells. We performed a chart review to determine the native hemoglobin type, exposure to hydroxyurea, and clinical symptoms of sickle cell disease. We identified four patients over the age of 20 with HbS/HPHP and no exposure to hydroxyurea. Two of these patients experienced no sickle cell disease complications; the protected patients had heterocellular distribution of HbF, but had a high concentration of HbF per HbF+ cell (>35 picograms/cell). Notably, these asymptomatic patients both had HbF level by HPLC less than 30. One of the symptomatic HbS/HPHF patients had heterocellular expression of HbF with low cellular concentration (28 picograms/cell) while the other patient had pancellular HbF expression with very low cellular concentration (6.4 picograms/cell). Our study demonstrates that HPHF alone does not prevent sickle cell disease complications. Our study highlights the importance of quantifying the cellular concentration of HbF, which can provide useful information beyond that of HPLC. In addition, our study raises the potential of the clinical use of hydroxyurea in patients with sickle cell disease even in the presence of HPHF.

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A Pilot Study of Eptifibatide for Treatment of Acute Pain Episodes in Sickle Cell Disease.

Blood ◽

10.1182/blood.v120.21.2102.2102 ◽

2012 ◽

Vol 120 (21) ◽

pp. 2102-2102

Author(s):

Payal C Desai ◽

Julia Brittain ◽

Susan Jones ◽

Adam McDonald ◽

Douglas R Wilson ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Sickle Cell Disease ◽

Board Of Directors ◽

Sickle Cell ◽

Acute Pain ◽

Research Funding ◽

Point Estimate ◽

Acute Chest Syndrome ◽

Cell Disease ◽

Opioid Use ◽

Advisory Committees

Abstract Abstract 2102 Background: Despite the abundant laboratory evidence of platelet activation and inflammation in sickle cell disease (SCD), the contribution of these changes to the pathogenesis of SCD remains uncertain. Patients with SCD exhibit increased platelet activation in the non-crisis, “steady state,” and further increases with acute pain episodes. In addition, levels of the inflammatory mediator, CD40 ligand (CD40L) are increased in the plasma and significantly reduced in the platelets of SCD patients compared to healthy individuals. CD40L may contribute to the pathogenesis of acute pain episodes. Despite an improved understanding of the pathophysiology of SCD, the treatment of acute pain episodes is supportive. We performed a randomized, placebo-controlled study to evaluate the safety and efficacy of eptifibatide, a synthetic peptide inhibitor of the glycoprotein (GP) IIb/IIIa receptor, in patients with SCD during acute painful episodes. Methods: In this single site placebo-controlled trial, eligible patients admitted for acute painful episodes received eptifibatide (two 180 mg/kg boluses 10 minutes apart, followed by a continuous infusion at 2 mg/kg/min for 6 hours) or placebo at a ratio of 2:1. The Post-Treatment Phase lasted for up to 7 days or until resolution of the crisis, whichever was shorter, but no less than 24 hours after discontinuation of infusion. The Follow-up Phase included safety evaluations obtained 14 to 17 days and 28 to 35 days after discontinuation of infusion. The primary outcomes were major bleeding episodes and the largest observed decrease in platelet count during the study. We also evaluated the effect of eptifibatide on the duration of acute pain episodes, pain intensity, duration of hospitalization, total opioid use and acute chest syndrome. Results: Thirteen patients (SS - 10, Sb0 - 2, SC - 1) were randomized to receive either eptifibatide (N=9; 6 females; median age - 25 years) or placebo (N=4; 3 females; median age - 31 years). One patient in the eptifibatide arm withdrew consent following completion of study drug infusion and 1 patient in the placebo arm was withdrawn early because she did not meet eligibility criteria. In the intent-to-treat analysis, there were no major bleeding episodes in either group (point estimate of difference in eptifibatide vs. placebo proportion: 0.0, 95% CI; −0.60, 0.37).There was one minor bleeding episode in a patient on the eptifibatide arm (point estimate of difference in eptifibatide vs. placebo proportion: 0.11, 95% CI: −0.502, 0.494). There was a trend for the largest decrease in platelet count to be greater in the eptifibatide arm compared to the placebo arm, although the difference was not statistically significant (Hodges-Lehman estimate of location shift for eptifibatide vs. placebo: −82, 95% CI; −281, 54). There was no significant difference in the proportion of patients with thrombocytopenia between the treatment groups (point estimate of difference in eptifibatide vs. placebo proportion: 0.11, 95% CI: −0.587, 0.495). The median time to discharge and the median time to crisis resolution were 3.0 days for both treatment arms. The median total opioid use was 400.2 morphine equivalents (ME) for the eptifibatide group and 1471 ME for the placebo group (Hodges-Lehman estimate of location shift for eptifibatide vs. placebo: −65.8, 95% CI: −2519, 1700). There was one episode of acute chest syndrome in each treatment arm. Conclusions: In this small study of SCD patients hospitalized with acute painful episodes, eptifibatide appeared to be safe, but did not improve the times to crisis resolution or hospital discharge. Eptifibatide was associated with a reduced requirement for opioid analgesics, although the difference was not statistically significant. Clinicaltrials.gov Identifier: NCT00834899. Disclosures: Parise: BD: Consultancy; Biogen-Idec: Consultancy; NIH: Research Funding; AHA: Research Funding; SCDAC-NIH: Membership on an entity's Board of Directors or advisory committees; BRI Milwaukee: Membership on an entity's Board of Directors or advisory committees. Ataga:Pfizer: Consultancy; HemaQuest Pharmaceuticals: Honoraria, Membership on an entity's Board of Directors or advisory committees, Research Funding; Adventrx Pharmaceuticals: Consultancy. Off Label Use: Eptifibatide, a glycoprotein IIb/IIIa inhibitor, was evaluated as treatment for acute pain episodes in patients with sickle cell disease.

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