Characterising demographics, knowledge, practices and clinical care among patients attending sickle cell disease clinics in Eastern Uganda

Background: In Uganda to date, there are neither established registries nor descriptions of facility-based sickle cell disease (SCD) patient characteristics beyond the central region. Here, we summarize data on the baseline clinical characteristics and routine care available to patients at four clinics in Eastern Uganda as a prelude to a clinical trial. Methods: Between February and August 2018, we conducted a cross-sectional survey of patients attending four SCD clinics in Mbale, Soroti, Atutur and Ngora, all in Eastern Uganda, the planned sites for an upcoming clinical trial (H-PRIME: ISRCTN15724013). Data on socio-demographic characteristics, diagnostic methods, clinic schedules, the use of prophylactic and therapeutic drugs, clinical complications and patient understanding of SCD were collected using a structured questionnaire. Results: Data were collected on 1829 patients. Their ages ranged from 0 to 64 years with a median (IQR) of 6 (3-11) years. 49.1% of participants were male. The majority (1151; 62.9%) reported a positive family history for SCD. Approximately half knew that SCD is inherited from both parents but a substantial proportion did not know how SCD is transmitted and small numbers believed that it is acquired by either transfusion or from other people. Only 118/1819 (6.5%) participants had heard about or were using hydroxyurea while 356/1794 (19.8%) reported stigmatization. Participants reported a median of three (IQR 1-4) hospital admissions during the preceding 12 months; 80.8% had been admitted at least once, while 14.2% had been admitted more than five times. Pain was the most common symptom, while 83.9% of those admitted had received at least one blood transfusion. Conclusion: The majority of patients attending SCD clinics in Eastern Uganda are children and few are currently being treated with hydroxyurea. The data collected through this facility-based survey will provide background data that will be useful in planning for the H-PRIME trial.

Download Full-text

Characterising demographics, knowledge, practices and clinical care among patients attending sickle cell disease clinics in Eastern Uganda

Wellcome Open Research ◽

10.12688/wellcomeopenres.15847.1 ◽

2020 ◽

Vol 5 ◽

pp. 87

Author(s):

Peter Olupot-Olupot ◽

Ham Wabwire ◽

Carolyne Ndila ◽

Ruth Adong ◽

Linus Ochen ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Clinical Trial ◽

Sickle Cell Disease ◽

Sickle Cell ◽

Hospital Admissions ◽

Clinical Care ◽

Positive Family History ◽

Diagnostic Methods ◽

Common Symptom ◽

Cell Disease ◽

Eastern Uganda

Background: In Uganda to date, there are neither established registries nor descriptions of facility-based sickle cell disease (SCD) patient characteristics beyond the central region. Here, we summarize data on the baseline clinical characteristics and routine care available to patients at four clinics in Eastern Uganda as a prelude to a clinical trial. Methods: Between February and August 2018, we conducted a cross-sectional survey of patients attending four SCD clinics in Mbale, Soroti, Atutur and Ngora, all in Eastern Uganda, the planned sites for an upcoming clinical trial (H-PRIME: ISRCTN15724013). Data on socio-demographic characteristics, diagnostic methods, clinic schedules, the use of prophylactic and therapeutic drugs, clinical complications and patient understanding of SCD were collected using a structured questionnaire. Results: Data were collected on 1829 patients. Their ages ranged from 0 to 64 years with a median (IQR) of 6 (3-11) years. 50.9% of participants were male. The majority (1151; 62.9%) reported a positive family history for SCD. Approximately half knew that SCD is inherited from both parents but a substantial proportion did not know how SCD is transmitted and small numbers believed that it is acquired by either transfusion or from other people. Only 118/1819 (6.5%) participants had heard about or were using hydroxyurea while 356/1794 (19.8%) reported stigmatization. Participants reported a median of three (IQR 1-4) hospital admissions during the preceding 12 months; 80.8% had been admitted at least once, while 14.2% had been admitted more than five times. Pain was the most common symptom, while 83.9% of those admitted had received at least one blood transfusion. Conclusion: The majority of patients attending SCD clinics in Eastern Uganda are children and few are currently being treated with hydroxyurea. The data collected through this facility-based survey will provide background data that will be useful in planning for the H-PRIME trial.

Download Full-text

Establishing Sickle Cell Diagnostics and Characterizing a Pediatric Sickle Cell Disease Cohort in Malawi

Blood ◽

10.1182/blood.v126.23.2070.2070 ◽

2015 ◽

Vol 126 (23) ◽

pp. 2070-2070

Author(s):

Jonathan Brett Heimlich ◽

Godwin Chipoka ◽

Portia Kamthunzi ◽

Yuri D. Fedoriw ◽

Nigel S. Key ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Blood Pressure ◽

Sickle Cell Disease ◽

Sickle Cell ◽

Joint Pain ◽

Clinical Care ◽

Diagnostic Methods ◽

Sub Saharan Africa ◽

Age Group ◽

Cell Disease ◽

Sub Saharan

Abstract Sickle cell disease (SCD) is highly prevalent in sub-Saharan Africa; however, there are relatively few studies describing the clinical profile for children with laboratory-confirmed SCD. Prior to December 2014, neither neonatal screening nor standardized methods for SCD diagnosis were routinely available in Malawi, as hemoglobin electrophoresis and alternative diagnostic methods were absent. We describe implementation of hemoglobin electrophoresis for children with clinically suspected SCD at Kamuzu Central Hospital, one of two national teaching hospitals in Malawi. Children with clinically suspected SCD were recruited January - May 2015 and underwent comprehensive clinical and laboratory characterization. 137 total patients were recruited and 117 were confirmed to have HbSS disease. Among children who were being cared for as SCD prior to enrollment, 86% had HbSS suggesting generally accurate clinical diagnosis by local providers. Baseline clinical parameters and self-reported SCD complications for the study population are displayed in Table 1. Of those with confirmed SCD, median age was 7.3 years (IQR 2.7-10.4) with 53% males. Prior malaria was reported by 39% of patients, and was higher in the 0-5 age group compared with the over 5 age group (46% vs. 31%, p=0.03). The most commonly reported SCD complications were anemia (72%), joint pain (56%), jaundice (52%), and acute pain episodes (50%). Children with confirmed SCD had median hemoglobin of 7.3 g/dL (IQR 6.9-7.9), total bilirubin of 1.7 mg/dL (IQR 1.1-2.6) and lactate dehydrogenase of 658 IU/L (IQR 527-773). Urinalysis demonstrated 26% of patients with blood and 7% with proteinuria by dipstick. As of May 2015, more than 250 samples for enrolled children as well as routine clinical care had been batch-processed weekly with an average turn-around time of 36 hours for results. Three Malawian laboratory technicians were trained to perform hemoglobin electrophoresis, all of whom have been performing the test independently since April 2015. Our findings highlight a need for wider implementation of resource-appropriate diagnostics as an essential foundation for care and research. Children had substantial clinical and laboratory evidence of SCD-related morbidity. Earlier diagnosis can improve care for this population by facilitating earlier therapeutic interventions, as well as providing a basis for research to better understand SCD-related morbidity in sub-Saharan Africa. These efforts can ultimately inform management strategies to improve outcomes and increase life expectancy among children with SCD in Malawi. Table 1. All (n=117) Male (n= 62) Female (n=55) p value Age years, median (IQR) 7.3 (2.7-10.4) 5.3 (2.3-9.4) 8.9 (4.2-11.9) 0.004 Height cm, median (IQR, n) 115 (88-131, 60) 111 (89-128, 36) 119.5 (93-140, 24) 0.21 Weight kg, median (IQR, n) 19 (13-27, 108) 16.5 (12-23.6, 58) 21 (14-30, 50) 0.01 Blood Pressure Systolic mmHg, median (IQR, n) 103 (98-110, 83) 101 (94-108, 43) 103 (99-110, 40) 0.37 Blood Pressure Diastolic mmHg, median (IQR, n) 60 (55-65, 83) 58 (53-65, 43) 61 (56-68, 40) 0.13 Heart Rate BPM, median (IQR, n) 104 (91-118, 114) 105 (94-123, 61) 104 (88-112, 53) 0.15 O2 Saturation %, median (IQR, n) 93 (88-97, 108) 91 (85-96, 59) 95 (91-98, 49) 0.004 % Hypoxemic (SPO2 < 90%), n (%) 36 (30.7) 26 (41.9) 10 (18.2) 0.005 Body Temperature Celsius, median (IQR, n) 37 (36.7-37.4, 91) 37 (36.7-37, 46) 37 (36.4-37.2, 45) 0.22 Positive History of: Malaria, n (%) 45 (38.5) 22 23 0.34 0-5 years, n (%) 25 (46.3) - - 0.03 6-18 years, n (%) 20 (31.7) - - Pneumonia, n (%) 29 (24.8) 10 (16.1) 19 (34.5) 0.02 HIV, n (%) 0 0 0 - Anemia, n (%) 84 (71.8) 49 (79.0) 35 (63.6) 0.06 Pallor, n (%) 16 (13.7) 7 (11.3) 9 (16.4) 0.43 Jaundice, n (%) 61 (52.1) 33 (53.2) 28 (50.9) 0.82 Received Blood Transfusion, n (%) 87 (74.4) 47 (75.8) 40 (72.7) 0.47 Days since last transfusion, median (IQR) 316 (133-1144) 240 (111-410) 577 (180-1784) 0.03 Pain episodes, n (%) 58 (49.6) 27 (43.5) 31 (56.4) 0.16 Joint pain, n (%) 66 (56.4) 33 (53.2) 33 (60.0) 0.34 Dactylitis, n (%) 41 (35.0) 19 (30.6) 22 (40.0) 0.29 Leg ulcers, n (%) 5 (4.3) 5 (8.1) 0 0.03 Stroke, n (%) 10 (8.5) 5 (8.1) 5 (9.1) 0.84 Nocturnal Enuresis, n (%) 24 (20.5) 12 (19.4) 12 (21.8) 0.74 Disclosures No relevant conflicts of interest to declare.

Download Full-text

Barriers to Deferoxamine Adherence for Adults with Sickle Cell Disease.

Blood ◽

10.1182/blood.v104.11.3760.3760 ◽

2004 ◽

Vol 104 (11) ◽

pp. 3760-3760 ◽

Cited By ~ 1

Author(s):

Marsha Treadwell ◽

Jennifer Sung ◽

Eileen Murray ◽

Robert Hagar ◽

Kimberly Major ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Clinical Trial ◽

Sickle Cell Disease ◽

Adverse Effects ◽

Iron Overload ◽

Sickle Cell ◽

Serum Ferritin ◽

Chelation Therapy ◽

Clinical Care ◽

Cell Disease ◽

Transfusion Therapy

Abstract Background: The barriers to adherence with chelation therapy for chronically transfused and iron overloaded patients with sickle cell disease (SCD) have been described only anecdotally. Objectives: To describe barriers to home deferoxamine (DFO) administration adherence among adults with SCD. It was hypothesized that barriers would include limited patient education on the importance of chelation and perceived aversiveness of the regimen. Methods: Medical records were reviewed for 189 adult patients seen at a comprehensive sickle cell center. Patients with transfusion induced hemosiderosis, defined as a serum ferritin ≥ 1500 ng/ml, were administered a four item interview asking if iron overload had ever been discussed with them; if they had been informed they were iron over loaded; if chelation therapy had been offered; and if not currently home chelating, why not. Patients not interviewed were deceased (3); unavailable (10); or declined (3). A study coordinator who did not provide clinical care conducted the interviews. Results: 54 of the 189 patients (29%) had a history of intermittent or chronic transfusion, or pheresis. 45 of these patients were iron overloaded. 29 of these patients agreed to complete the interview; 22 (76%) were female. Average age was 41.5 years (range 22.4 – 58.4 years) and average serum ferritin was 4240.8 (range 1547 – 9420). 23 of the 29 patients (79%) reported that their physician or nurse had discussed iron overload and chelation with them. 16 of these (55%) reported that they were currently receiving home DFO therapy. Reasons given for not administering home DFO included: Reason Number (%) “Don’t want to stick self” 3 (23) No longer being transfused or being exchanged 3 (23) Awaiting clinical trial for oral chelator 2 (15) Home situation too complex 2 (15) Don’t want to (no further explanation) 2 (15) Too many adverse effects 1 (8) Discussion: Life threatening levels of iron overload were observed in intermittently transfused adult sickle cell patients. Contrary to expectations, iron overload and its treatment had been discussed with most patients. However, just over half were currently chelating at home. Toxicity of DFO and misunderstanding that iron overload is no longer a problem if chronic transfusion therapy stops are the most common reasons for non-compliance. Repeated patient counseling are essential in order to prevent progressive iron toxicity in sickle cell disease. Reason Number (%) “Don’t want to stick self” 3 (23) No longer being transfused or being exchanged 3 (23) Awaiting clinical trial for oral chelator 2 (15) Home situation too complex 2 (15) Don’t want to (no further explanation) 2 (15) Too many adverse effects 1 (8)

Download Full-text

Risk-Score Based Strategy to Minimize Antibiotic Exposure in Children With Sickle Cell Disease and Fever

10.21203/rs.3.rs-756018/v1 ◽

2021 ◽

Author(s):

Elena Maria Rincón-López ◽

María Luisa Navarro Gómez ◽

Teresa Hernández-Sampelayo Matos ◽

David Aguilera-Alonso ◽

Eva Dueñas Moreno ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Sickle Cell Disease ◽

Sickle Cell ◽

Risk Score ◽

Bacterial Infections ◽

Hospital Admissions ◽

Empirical Therapy ◽

Antibiotic Exposure ◽

Cell Disease ◽

Optimal Score ◽

A Prospective Study

Abstract Severe bacterial infections (SBI) have become less frequent in children with sickle cell disease (SCD) in the last decades. However, because of their potential risk of SBI, they usually receive empirical therapy with broad-spectrum antibiotics when they develop fever and are hospitalized in many cases. We performed a prospective study including 79 SCD patients with fever [median age 4.1 (1.7–7.5) years, 78.5% males; 17 of the episodes were diagnosed with SBI and 4 of them were confirmed] and developed a risk score for the prediction of SBI. The optimal score included CRP > 3 mg/dl, IL-6 > 125 pg/ml and hypoxemia, with an AUC of 0.91 (0.83–0.96) for the prediction of confirmed SBI and 0.86 (0.77–0.93) for possible SBI. We classified the patients in 3 groups: low, intermediate and high risk of SBI. Our risk-score based management proposal could help to safely minimize antibiotic treatments and hospital admissions in children with SCD at low risk of SBI.

Download Full-text

End points for sickle cell disease clinical trials: patient-reported outcomes, pain, and the brain

Blood Advances ◽

10.1182/bloodadvances.2019000882 ◽

2019 ◽

Vol 3 (23) ◽

pp. 3982-4001 ◽

Cited By ~ 5

Author(s):

Ann T. Farrell ◽

Julie Panepinto ◽

C. Patrick Carroll ◽

Deepika S. Darbari ◽

Ankit A. Desai ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Clinical Trial ◽

Clinical Trials ◽

Sickle Cell Disease ◽

Sickle Cell ◽

Patient Reported Outcomes ◽

Cell Disease ◽

End Points ◽

Additional Clinical Trial ◽

Patient Reported ◽

The Brain

Abstract To address the global burden of sickle cell disease (SCD) and the need for novel therapies, the American Society of Hematology partnered with the US Food and Drug Administration to engage the work of 7 panels of clinicians, investigators, and patients to develop consensus recommendations for clinical trial end points. The panels conducted their work through literature reviews, assessment of available evidence, and expert judgment focusing on end points related to: patient-reported outcomes (PROs), pain (non-PROs), the brain, end-organ considerations, biomarkers, measurement of cure, and low-resource settings. This article presents the findings and recommendations of the PROs, pain, and brain panels, as well as relevant findings and recommendations from the biomarkers panel. The panels identify end points, where there were supporting data, to use in clinical trials of SCD. In addition, the panels discuss where further research is needed to support the development and validation of additional clinical trial end points.

Download Full-text

Implementing a standard-of-care clinic for stroke prevention in children with sickle cell disease in Nigeria: a feasible strategy outside a clinical trial setting

Blood Advances ◽

10.1182/bloodadvances.2017gs101266 ◽

2017 ◽

Vol 1 (Suppl) ◽

pp. 23-25

Author(s):

Najibah A. Galadanci ◽

Shehu U. Abdullahi ◽

Leah D. Vance ◽

Musa A. Tabari ◽

Shehi Abubakar ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Clinical Trial ◽

Sickle Cell Disease ◽

Sickle Cell ◽

Stroke Prevention ◽

Standard Of Care ◽

Cell Disease ◽

Care Clinic ◽

Clinical Trial Setting ◽

Trial Setting

Download Full-text

Effect ofN-acetylcysteine on pain in daily life in patients with sickle cell disease: a randomised clinical trial

British Journal of Haematology ◽

10.1111/bjh.14809 ◽

2017 ◽

Vol 182 (3) ◽

pp. 444-448 ◽

Cited By ~ 9

Author(s):

Joep W. R. Sins ◽

Karin Fijnvandraat ◽

Anita W. Rijneveld ◽

Martine B. Boom ◽

Jean-Louis H. Kerkhoffs ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Clinical Trial ◽

Sickle Cell Disease ◽

Sickle Cell ◽

Daily Life ◽

Randomised Clinical Trial ◽

Cell Disease

Download Full-text

Higher oxygen saturation with hydroxyurea in paediatric sickle cell disease

Archives of Disease in Childhood ◽

10.1136/archdischild-2019-317862 ◽

2019 ◽

Vol 105 (6) ◽

pp. 575-579 ◽

Cited By ~ 2

Author(s):

Lisa van Geyzel ◽

Michele Arigliani ◽

Baba Inusa ◽

Bethany Singh ◽

Wanda Kozlowska ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Clinical Trial ◽

Sickle Cell Disease ◽

Life Expectancy ◽

Oxygen Saturation ◽

Sickle Cell ◽

Randomised Clinical Trial ◽

Cell Disease ◽

Respiratory Problems ◽

Sleep Studies ◽

Before And After

IntroductionSickle cell disease (SCD) is one of the most common inherited diseases worldwide. It is associated with lifelong morbidity and reduced life expectancy. Hydroxyurea (HU) has been shown to reduce the frequency and severity of vaso-occlusive episodes in SCD. Hypoxaemia and intermittent nocturnal oxygen desaturations occur frequently in children with SCD and contribute to the associated morbidity, including risk of cerebrovascular disease.ObjectiveTo evaluate the effect of HU on oxygen saturation (SpO2) overnight and on daytime SpO2 spot checks in children with SCD.MethodsA retrospective review of children with SCD and respiratory problems who attended two UK tertiary sickle respiratory clinics and were treated with HU. Longitudinal data were collected from 2 years prior and up to 3 years after the commencement of HU.ResultsForty-three children, 23 males (53%) with a median age of 9 (range 1.8–18) years were included. In the 21 children who had comparable sleep studies before and after starting HU, mean SpO2 was higher (95.2% from 93.5%, p=0.01) and nadir SpO2 was higher (87.2% from 84.3%, p=0.009) when taking HU. In 32 of the children, spot daytime oxygen saturations were also higher (96.3% from 93.5%, p=0.001).ConclusionChildren with SCD had higher oxygen saturation overnight and on daytime spot checks after starting HU. These data suggest HU may be helpful for treating persistent hypoxaemia in children with SCD pending more evidence from a randomised clinical trial.

Download Full-text

Air Drep—A Retrospective Study Evaluating the Influence of Weather Conditions and Viral Epidemics on Vaso-Occlusive Crises in Patients with Sickle Cell Disease Living in French Guiana

International Journal of Environmental Research and Public Health ◽

10.3390/ijerph16152724 ◽

2019 ◽

Vol 16 (15) ◽

pp. 2724

Author(s):

Marie-Claire Parriault ◽

Claire Cropet ◽

Aniza Fahrasmane ◽

Stéphanie Rogier ◽

Michaël Parisot ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Sickle Cell Disease ◽

Sickle Cell ◽

French Guiana ◽

Hospital Admissions ◽

Weather Conditions ◽

Therapeutic Education ◽

Targeted Prevention ◽

Prevention Measures ◽

Cell Disease ◽

Emergency Visits

(1) Objectives: French Guiana is the French territory most affected by sickle cell disease (SCD). This study investigates the associations between different environmental factors relative to climate, infectious outbreaks, and emergency visits or weekly hospital admissions for vaso-occlusive crisis (VOC). The identification of risk factors would lead to better patient care and patient management, and more targeted prevention and therapeutic education for patients with SCD in French Guiana. (2) Methods: This study was performed using data collected from the medicalized information system and emergency medical records of Cayenne General Hospital, between 1 January 2010 and 31 December 2016. ARIMA models were used to investigate the potential impact of weather conditions and flu epidemics on VOC occurrence. (3) Results: During the study period, 1739 emergency visits were recorded among 384 patients, of which 856 (49.2%) resulted in hospitalization, 811 (46.6%) resulted in hospital discharge, and 72 (4.2%) in another orientation. Decreased temperature and decreased humidity were both independent factors associated with an increase of VOC cases (p = 0.0128 and p = 0.0004, respectively). When studying severe VOC (leading to hospitalization, with or without prior emergency visit), 2104 hospital admissions were recorded for 326 patients. The only factor associated with severe VOC, in the multivariate analysis, was flu epidemics (p = 0.0148). (4) Conclusions: This study shows a link between climate, flu epidemics, and VOC in French Guiana. Patient’s awareness of risks related to climate and flu epidemics should be encouraged, as home prevention measures can help avoid painful crises. Moreover, physicians should encourage patients to get immunized for influenza every year.

Download Full-text