American Society of Hematology 2020 guidelines for sickle cell disease: management of acute and chronic pain

Sickle Cell Disease Update: New Treatments and Challenging Nutritional Interventions

Sickle cell disease (SCD), a distinctive and often overlooked illness in the 21st century, is a congenital blood disorder characterized by considerable phenotypic diversity. It comprises a group of disorders, with sickle cell anemia (SCA) being the most prevalent and serious genotype. Although there have been some systematic reviews of global data, worldwide statistics regarding SCD prevalence, morbidity, and mortality remain scarce. In developed countries with a lower number of sickle cell patients, cutting-edge technologies have led to the development of new treatments. However, in developing settings where sickle cell disease (SCD) is more prevalent, medical management, rather than a cure, still relies on the use of hydroxyurea, blood transfusions, and analgesics. This is a disease that affects red blood cells, consequently affecting most organs in diverse manners. We discuss its etiology and the advent of new technologies, but the aim of this study is to understand the various types of nutrition-related studies involving individuals suffering from SCD, particularly in Africa. The interplay of the environment, food, gut microbiota, along with their respective genomes collectively known as the gut microbiome, and host metabolism is responsible for mediating host metabolic phenotypes and modulating gut microbiota. In addition, it serves the purpose of providing essential nutrients. Moreover, it engages in direct interactions with host homeostasis and the immune system, as well as indirect interactions via metabolites. Nutrition interventions and nutritional care are mechanisms for addressing increased nutrient expenditures and are important aspects of supportive management for patients with SCD. Underprivileged areas in Sub-Saharan Africa should be accompanied by efforts to define and promote of the nutritional aspects of SCD. Their importance is key to maintaining well-being and quality of life, especially because new technologies and products remain limited, while the use of native medicinal plant resources is acknowledged.

Consensus of the Brazilian Association of Hematology, Hemotherapy and Cellular Therapy (ABHH) and the Brazilian Ministry of Health - General management of blood and blood products on the tests necessary for the release of exceptional medicines for sickle cell disease

To date, hydroxyurea is the only effective and safe drug that significantly reduces morbidity and mortality of individuals with Sickle cell disease. Twenty years of real-life experience has demonstrated that hydroxyurea reduces pain attacks, vaso-occlusive events, including acute chest syndrome, the number and duration of hospitalizations and the need for transfusion. The therapeutic success of hydroxyurea is directly linked to access to the drug, the dose used and adherence to treatment which, in part, is correlated to the availability of hydroxyurea. This consensus aims to reduce the number of mandatory exams needed to access the drug, prioritizing the requesting physician's report, without affecting patient safety.

Effectiveness of Long-Term Opioid Therapy for Chronic Pain in an Outpatient Palliative Medicine Clinic

Background: Despite widespread use of opioid therapy in outpatient palliative medicine, there is limited evidence supporting its efficacy and safety in the long term. Objectives: We sought to improve overdose risk scores, maintain pain reduction, and preserve patient function in a cohort with severe chronic pain as we managed opioid therapy for a duration of four years in an outpatient palliative care clinic. Design: Over four years, we provided ongoing goal-concordant outpatient palliative care, including opioid therapy, using quarterly clinical encounters for a patient cohort with chronic pain. Setting/Subjects: The project took place in the outpatient palliative medicine clinic of a regional cancer center in Orlando, Florida (United States). The subjects were a cohort group who received palliative care during the time period between July 2018 and October 2022. Measurements: Key metrics included treatment-related reduction in pain intensity, performance scores, and overall overdose risk scores. Secondary metrics included cohort demographics, average daily opioid use in morphine milligram equivalents and categorization of type of pain. Results: In 97 patients, we observed a stable mean treatment-related reduction in pain intensity of 4.9 out of 10 points over four years. The cohort showed a 2-point (out of 100) improvement in performance scores and an 81-point (out of 999) reduction in mean overall overdose risk score. Conclusions: We present evidence that providing outpatient palliative care longitudinally over four years offered lasting treatment-related reductions in pain intensity, preservation of performance status, and reduction in overall overdose risk.

A cognitive-behavioral digital health intervention for sickle cell disease pain in adolescents: a randomized, controlled, multicenter trial

ABSTRACT

Severe acute and chronic pain are the most common complications of sickle cell disease (SCD). Pain results in disability, psychosocial distress, repeated clinic visits/hospitalizations, and significant healthcare costs. Psychosocial pain interventions that teach cognitive and behavioral strategies for managing pain have been effective in other adolescent populations when delivered in person or through digital technologies. Our aim was to conduct a multisite, randomized, controlled trial to improve pain and coping in youth aged 12 to 18 years with SCD using a digital cognitive-behavioral therapy program (iCanCope with Sickle Cell Disease; iCC-SCD) vs Education control. We enrolled 137 participants (ages 12-18 years, 59% female) and analyzed 111 adolescents (107 caregivers), 54 randomized to Education control and 57 randomized to iCC-SCD. Ninety-two percent of youth completed posttreatment assessments and 88% completed 6-month follow-up. There was a significant effect of treatment group (iCC-SCD vs Education) on reduction in average pain intensity from baseline to 6-month follow-up (b = -1.32, P = 0.009, 95% CI [-2.29, -0.34], d = 0.50), and for the number of days with pain, adolescents in the iCC-SCD group demonstrated fewer pain days compared with the Education group at 6-month follow-up (incident rate ratio = 0.63, P = 0.006, 95% CI [0.30, 0.95], d = 0.53). Treatment effects were also found for coping attempts, momentary mood, and fatigue. Several secondary outcomes did not change with intervention, including anxiety, depression, pain interference, and global impression of change. Future studies are needed to identify effective implementation strategies to bring evidence-based cognitive-behavioral therapy for sickle cell pain to SCD clinics and communities.

Management of Acute Sickle Cell Disease Pain

Pain is a common complication of sickle cell disease. Sickle cell pain can often be effectively managed by pediatricians in outpatient and hospital settings. Acute pain management should be initiated quickly. Patients need to be evaluated for sickle cell complications and other causes of pain. Nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs and opioids are the mainstay of pain treatment, but additional therapies include hydration, local pain control, muscle relaxants, and nonpharmacologic approaches. Healthy lifestyle habits and good behavioral and mental health are important for preventing and coping with sickle cell disease pain. Disease-modifying therapies, such as hydroxyurea, can help prevent sickle hemoglobin polymerization and acute pain episodes. Because sickle cell disease largely affects people who are racialized minorities in the United States, health-care providers need to be aware of how their own personal biases may affect care of these patients.

Pain Control for Sickle Cell Crisis, a Novel Approach? A Retrospective Study

Background and Objectives: Pain management poses a significant challenge for patients experiencing vaso-occlusive crisis (VOC) in sickle cell disease (SCD). While opioid therapy is highly effective, its efficacy can be impeded by undesirable side effects. Local regional anesthesia (LRA), involving the deposition of a perineural anesthetic, provides a nociceptive blockade, local vasodilation and reduces the inflammatory response. However, the effectiveness of this therapeutic approach for VOC in SCD patients has been rarely reported up to now. The objective of this study was to assess the effectiveness of a single-shot local regional anesthesia (LRA) in reducing pain and consequently enhancing the management of severe vaso-occlusive crisis (VOC) in adults with sickle cell disease (SCD) unresponsive to conventional analgesic therapy. Materials and Methods: We first collected consecutive episodes of VOC in critical care (ICU and emergency room) for six months in 2022 in a French University hospital with a large population of sickle cell patients in the West Indies population. We also performed a systematic review of the use of LRA in SCD. The primary outcome was defined using a numeric pain score (NPS) and/or percentage of change in opioid use. Results: We enrolled nine SCD adults (28 years old, 4 females) for ten episodes of VOC in whom LRA was used for pain management. Opioid reduction within the first 24 h post block was -75% (50 to 96%). Similarly, the NPS decreased from 9/10 pre-block to 0-1/10 post-block. Five studies, including one case series with three patients and four case reports, employed peripheral nerve blocks for regional anesthesia. In general, local regional anesthesia (LRA) exhibited a reduction in pain and symptoms, along with a decrease in opioid consumption post-procedure. Conclusions: LRA improves pain scores, reduces opioid consumption in SCD patients with refractory pain, and may mitigate opioid-related side effects while facilitating the transition to oral analgesics. Furthermore, LRA is a safe and effective procedure.

Psychiatric comorbidities in adults with sickle cell disease: A narrative review

Although descriptions of quality of life and patient reports of mood in sickle cell disease (SCD) have become more common in the literature, less is known about psychiatric illness prevalence, presentation, and treatment, particularly for adults. We provide a narrative review of what is known about common and debilitating psychiatric conditions such as depression, anxiety, and cognitive impairment, specifically for adults with SCD. We discuss the limitations of the current evidence, make provisional recommendations, and identify opportunities for research and improved care.

Feasibility and preliminary efficacy of the Balance Program to reduce pain-related disability in pediatric sickle cell disease

BACKGROUND

Sickle cell disease (SCD) pain is associated with functional impairment, and treatment is often limited to pharmacological approaches with unwanted side effects. Although behavioral interventions exist for non-SCD pain populations, interventions designed to address pain-related impairment in SCD are lacking.

METHODS

Twenty youth (9-17 years) with SCD completed a four-week telemedicine pain intervention (NCT04388241). Participants and caregivers completed baseline and post-intervention PROMIS pain measures and the Treatment Evaluation Inventory-Short Form (TEI-SF). Descriptive analyses assessed feasibility and acceptability. Reliable Change Index analyses assessed for significant post-intervention changes in pain functioning. Paired t test analyses compared baseline and post-intervention opioid prescription fills.

RESULTS

All participants completed at least one treatment session. Eighteen (90%) youth completed all sessions. Youth (100%) and caregivers (94%) rated the intervention as moderately or highly acceptable on the TEI-SF. Forty-seven percent of caregivers and 44% of youth reported reliably significant improvements in pain interference after the intervention (median T-score differences: 24.8 and 23.5, respectively). Sixty-five percent of caregivers (T-score improvement difference: 19.3) and 31% of youth (T-score improvement difference: 32) reported improvements in pain behaviors. There was no significant difference in opioid prescription fills pre- and post-intervention (P > 0.05).

CONCLUSIONS

The Balance Program is feasible, highly acceptable, and can be delivered remotely to reduce barriers to care. Approximately half of youth and caregivers reported significant declines in pain interference following the intervention, with substantial improvements in functioning for treatment responders. Behavioral pain interventions are important adjunctive treatments to uniquely address functional impairment associated with acute and chronic pain in SCD.

A comparison of the effect of patient-specific versus weight-based protocols to treat vaso-occlusive episodes in the emergency department

BACKGROUND

Vaso-occlusive crises (VOCs) cause debilitating pain and are a common cause of emergency department (ED) visits, for people with sickle cell disease (SCD). Strategies for achieving optimal pain control vary widely despite evidence-based guidelines. We tested existing guidelines and hypothesized that a patient-specific pain protocol (PSP) written by their SCD provider may be more effective than weight-based (WB) dosing of parenteral opiate medication, in relieving pain.

METHODS

This study was a prospective, randomized controlled trial comparing a PSP versus WB protocol for patients presenting with VOCs to six EDs. Patients were randomized to a PSP or WB protocol prior to an ED visit. The SCD provider wrote their protocol and placed it in the electronic health record for future ED visits with VOC exclusion criteria that included preexisting PSP excluding parenteral opioid analgesia or outpatient use of buprenorphine or methadone or highly suspected for COVID-19. Pain intensity scores, side effects, and safety were obtained every 30 min for up to 6 h post-ED bed placement. The primary outcome was change in pain intensity score from placement in an ED space to disposition or 6 h.

RESULTS

A total of 328 subjects were randomized; 104 participants enrolled (ED visit, target n = 230) with complete data for 96 visits. The study was unable to reach the target sample size and stopped early due to the impact of COVID-19. We found no significant differences between groups in the primary outcome; patients randomized to a PSP had a shorter ED length of stay (p = 0.008), and the prevalence of side effects was low in both groups. Subjects in both groups experienced both a clinically meaningful and a statistically significant decrease in pain (27 mm on a 0- to 100-mm scale).

CONCLUSIONS

We found a shorter ED length of stay for patients assigned to a PSP. Patients in both groups experienced good pain relief without significant side effects.

Precision, integrative medicine for pain management in sickle cell disease

Sickle cell disease (SCD) is a prevalent and complex inherited pain disorder that can manifest as acute vaso-occlusive crises (VOC) and/or chronic pain. Despite their known risks, opioids are often prescribed routinely and indiscriminately in managing SCD pain, because it is so often severe and debilitating. Integrative medicine strategies, particularly non-opioid therapies, hold promise in safe and effective management of SCD pain. However, the lack of evidence-based methods for managing SCD pain hinders the widespread implementation of non-opioid therapies. In this review, we acknowledge that implementing personalized pain treatment strategies in SCD, which is a guideline-recommended strategy, is currently fraught with limitations. The full implementation of pharmacological and biobehavioral pain approaches targeting mechanistic pain pathways faces challenges due to limited knowledge and limited financial and personnel support. We recommend personalized medicine, pharmacogenomics, and integrative medicine as aspirational strategies for improving pain care in SCD. As an organizing model that is a comprehensive framework for classifying pain subphenotypes and mechanisms in SCD, and for guiding selection of specific strategies, we present evidence updating pain research pioneer Richard Melzack's neuromatrix theory of pain. We advocate for using the updated neuromatrix model to subphenotype individuals with SCD, to better select personalized multimodal treatment strategies, and to identify research gaps fruitful for exploration. We present a fairly complete list of currently used pharmacologic and non-pharmacologic SCD pain therapies, classified by their mechanism of action and by their hypothesized targets in the updated neuromatrix model.

The Bias of Medicine in Sickle Cell Disease

Sickle cell disease (SCD) is the most common monogenetic condition in the United States (US) and one that has been subjected to a history of negative bias. Since SCD was first described approximately 120 years ago, the medical establishment has, directly and indirectly, harmed patients by reinforcing biases and assumptions about the disease. Furthermore, negative biases and stigmas have been levied upon patients with SCD by healthcare providers and society, researchers, and legislators. This article will explore the historical context of SCD in the US; discuss specific issues in care that lead to biases, social and self-stigma, inequities in access to care, and research funding; and highlight interventions over recent years that address racial biases and stigma.

The evolving treatment landscape for children with sickle cell disease

Sickle cell disease is the most common inherited pathological haemoglobinopathy. Over the past 30 years, disease-related morbidity and mortality have improved in high-income countries due to advances in preventive care and treatments. Established disease-modifying therapies, such as hydroxyurea (hydrocarbamide), are continuing to have an important role in the treatment of sickle cell disease, and newer agents also show promise. In the past 5 years, the US Food and Drug Administration approved three additional sickle cell disease-modifying medications, and new gene therapies have been developed as an alternative curative treatment to haematopoietic stem-cell transplantation. In this Review, we discuss the current treatment landscape for paediatric sickle cell disease and emerging innovations in care. We also review the need for close, long-term management for children receiving newer therapies and the importance of ongoing investment in people with sickle cell disease in low-income and middle-income countries.

Return visit rates after an emergency department discharge for children with sickle cell pain episodes

BACKGROUND

High return visit rates after hospitalization for people with sickle cell disease (SCD) have been previously established. Due to a lack of multicenter emergency department (ED) return visit rate data, the return visit rate following ED discharge for pediatric SCD pain treatment is currently unknown.

PROCEDURE

A seven-site retrospective cohort study of discharged ED visits for pain by children with SCD was conducted using the Pediatric Emergency Care Applied Research Network Registry. Visits between January 2017 and November 2021 were identified using previously validated criteria. The primary outcome was the 14-day return visit rate, with 3- and 7-day rates also calculated. Modified Poisson regression was used to analyze associations for age, sex, initial hospitalization rate, and a visit during the COVID-19 pandemic with return visit rates.

RESULTS

Of 2548 eligible ED visits, approximately 52% were patients less than 12 years old, 50% were female, and over 95% were non-Hispanic Black. The overall 14-day return visit rate was 29.1% (95% confidence interval [CI]: 27.4%-30.9%; site range 22.7%-31.7%); the 7- and 3-day return visit rates were 23.0% (95% CI: 21.3%-24.6%) and 16.7% (95% CI: 15.3%-18.2%), respectively. Younger children had slightly lower 14-day return visit rates (27.3% vs. 31.1%); there were no associations for site hospitalization rate, sex, and a visit occurring during the pandemic with 14-day returns.

CONCLUSION

Nearly 30% of ED discharged visits after SCD pain treatment had a return visit within 14 days. Increased efforts are needed to identify causes for high ED return visit rates and ensure optimal ED and post-ED care.

Pain management in adult patients with sickle cell disease in the emergency department: how does current practice compare with existing standards of care?

PURPOSE

Sickle cell disease (SCD) is an inherited blood disorder with a natural course punctuated by acute complications including painful vaso-occlusive episodes. The objectives were: (1) to determine what proportion of patients with SCD receive opioids within 30 min of triage as recommended by the current clinical recommendations and quality standard; and (2) to identify facilitators to timely opioid administration for patients with SCD.

METHODS

This was a retrospective observational study. The primary outcome was the proportion of visits in which patients received opioid analgesia within 30 min of triage. Secondary outcomes were time in minutes from triage to any analgesic administration and time from triage to first opioid administration. Patient demographics and ED encounter characteristics were included as potential associated variables.

RESULTS

There were 236 patient visits (by 103 patients) that met inclusion criteria. Patients received opioid analgesia within 30 min of triage in only 5.2% of visits. The median time from triage to opioid analgesia was 80 (IQR = 49.0, 125.5) minutes. Using an order set and receiving opioid analgesia prior to physician assessment were both associated with shorter times to opioid analgesia.

CONCLUSION

Existing recommendations are that opioid analgesia be provided within 30 min of triage for patients with SCD and VOEs. Our data show this target is rarely met, even in a department in which SCD VOEs are a common presenting concern. The association of earlier opioid analgesia with order set use and administration prior to physician assessment highlights potential avenues for improving time to analgesia.

Chronic pain management in sickle cell disease: A systematic scoping review of controlled trials

Existing treatment for chronic pain in sickle cell disease (SCD) is opioid-dependent, which is ineffective and carries risks. We conducted a scoping literature review to assess the size and scope of available literature about controlled trials of therapies for SCD chronic pain and identify research gaps. The search strategy in PubMed and EMBASE utilized keywords for chronic pain and sickle cell and identified seven original articles that met inclusion criteria. Six of the studies recruited from clinics while one recruited from community sources. Cannabis and behavioral modification were associated with improvements in pain scores. However, existing evidence does not represent best practices for assessing chronic pain, and this along with small sample sizes prevents translation to clinical care. The limited evidence concerning treatment for SCD chronic pain highlights the need for larger trials of opioid alternatives and the utilization of chronic pain measures that capture nociplastic pain in SCD.

Single nucleotide polymorphisms and sickle cell disease-related pain: a systematic review

Background

Scientists have speculated genetic variants may contribute to an individual's unique pain experience. Although research exists regarding the relationship between single nucleotide polymorphisms and sickle cell disease-related pain, this literature has not been synthesized to help inform future precision health research for sickle cell disease-related pain. Our primary aim of this systematic review was to synthesize the current state of scientific literature regarding single nucleotide polymorphisms and their association with sickle cell disease-related pain.

Methods

Using the Prisma guidelines, we conducted our search between December 2021-April 2022. We searched PubMed, Web of Science, CINAHL, and Embase databases (1998-2022) and selected all peer-reviewed articles that included reports of associations between single nucleotide polymorphisms and sickle cell disease-related pain outcomes.

Results

Our search yielded 215 articles, 80 of which were duplicates, and after two reviewers (GG, JD) independently screened the 135 non-duplicate articles, we retained 22 articles that met the study criteria. The synthesis of internationally generated evidence revealed that this scientific area remains predominantly exploratory in nature, with only three studies reporting sufficient power for genetic association. Sampling varied across studies with a range of children to older adults with SCD. All of the included articles (n = 22) examined acute pain, while only nine of those studies also examined chronic pain.

Conclusion

Currently, the evidence implicating genetic variation contributing to acute and chronic sickle cell disease-related pain is characterized by modestly powered candidate-gene studies using rigorous SCD-pain outcomes. Effect sizes and directions vary across studies and are valuable for informing the design of future studies. Further research is needed to replicate these associations and extend findings with hypothesis-driven research to inform precision health research.

The Occurrence of Depression Among Adults With Sickle Cell Disease in Saudi Arabia

Introduction Sickle cell disease (SCD) is recognized as a widely prevalent genetic disorder that impacts individuals globally and is inherited within families. The primary cause of SCD is a singular genetic mutation that affects the globin chain of the hemoglobin protein. Depression and its symptoms are frequently observed in individuals with SCD. This observation has led to a higher probability of adverse health outcomes. Therefore, the primary objective of this study was to analyze depression among Saudi Arabian adults with sickle cell disease. Method The online survey questionnaire was administered in both Arabic and English to collect essential information regarding SCD distress among the urban adult population in Saudi Arabia, using a cross-sectional study design. Data analysis was conducted using IBM SPSS software version 25 (IBM Corp., Armonk, NY, USA) and Microsoft Excel (Microsoft Corporation, Redmond, WA, USA). The study was designed with a statistical power of 80% at a cut-off value of 0.05 and 0.2. Diverse statistical approaches have been utilized to examine the connection between independent variables, including methods such as Chi-square analysis and Pearson's statistical assessment. Result A total of 685 respondents were included in the survey for this study, with the majority of the participants from the eastern region (31%) and between the age groups of 25 and 30 years (34%) showing a lot of enthusiasm There was a clear dominance of the Saudi population (71%) who spoke Arabic (83%). Female (65%) participants showed more interest in this survey. The collected data were organized comprehensively in tables to facilitate a better understanding of the study's findings. P-values less than 0.05 were considered significant for the obtained results. Conclusion The study has shown that there were a variety of depression entanglements as a result of SCD, but they were handled well with the necessary measures by medical care professionals with much-needed psychological counseling and well-equipped medical facilities.

Psychological support for chronic conditions

PURPOSE OF REVIEW

Haematological conditions are varied, and every condition presents unique psychosocial challenges to patients and their families. There is a growing body of evidence about high levels of psychological distress, negative impact on outcomes and evidence-based treatments, yet service provision is patchy and demand far exceeds supply.

RECENT FINDINGS

This article focuses on the major subspecialty areas and associated neuropsychiatric comorbidities - haematological malignancies, issues related to stem cell transplants, haemoglobinopathies and haemophilia. The subsequent sections focus on common psychiatric comorbidities, considerations across the life span and models of care.

SUMMARY

Anxiety disorders and depression have higher prevalence in people with haematological conditions. The stressors faced by the individual can vary based on their condition and their stage of life. Early diagnosis and integrated management of comorbid psychiatric illness can improve quality of life and clinical outcomes. A stepped care model is recommended to ensure that psychological distress is identified and managed appropriately, and evidence for a collaborative care model is provided.

Sickle Cell Disease Treatment with Arginine Therapy (STArT): study protocol for a phase 3 randomized controlled trial

BACKGROUND

Despite substantial illness burden and healthcare utilization conferred by pain from vaso-occlusive episodes (VOE) in children with sickle cell disease (SCD), disease-modifying therapies to effectively treat SCD-VOE are lacking. The aim of the Sickle Cell Disease Treatment with Arginine Therapy (STArT) Trial is to provide definitive evidence regarding the efficacy of intravenous arginine as a treatment for acute SCD-VOE among children, adolescents, and young adults.

METHODS

STArT is a double-blind, placebo-controlled, randomized, phase 3, multicenter trial of intravenous arginine therapy in 360 children, adolescents, and young adults who present with SCD-VOE. The STArT Trial is being conducted at 10 sites in the USA through the Pediatric Emergency Care Applied Research Network (PECARN). Enrollment began in 2021 and will continue for 5 years. Within 12 h of receiving their first dose of intravenous opioids, enrolled participants are randomized 1:1 to receive either (1) a one-time loading dose of L-arginine (200 mg/kg with a maximum of 20 g) administered intravenously followed by a standard dose of 100 mg/kg (maximum 10 g) three times a day or (2) a one-time placebo loading dose of normal saline followed by normal saline three times per day at equivalent volumes and duration as the study drug. Participants, research staff, and investigators are blinded to the participant's randomization. All clinical care is provided in accordance with the institution-specific standard of care for SCD-VOE based on the 2014 National Heart, Lung, and Blood Institute guidelines. The primary outcome is time to SCD-VOE pain crisis resolution, defined as the time (in hours) from study drug delivery to the last dose of parenteral opioid delivery. Secondary outcomes include total parental opioid use and patient-reported outcomes. In addition, the trial will characterize alterations in the arginine metabolome and mitochondrial function in children with SCD-VOE.

DISCUSSION

Building on the foundation of established relationships between emergency medicine providers and hematologists in a multicenter research network to ensure adequate participant accrual, the STArT Trial will provide definitive information about the efficacy of intravenous arginine for the treatment of SCD-VOE for children.

TRIAL REGISTRATION

The STArT Trial was registered in ClinicalTrials.gov on April 9, 2021, and enrollment began on June 21, 2021 (NCT04839354).

Improving Sickle Cell Disease Care

ABSTRACT

Research into sickle cell disease (SCD), which disproportionately affects historically underserved ethnic and racial groups, lacks funding and resources. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention's Sickle Cell Data Collection program is a comprehensive data registry that gathers information about disease prevalence, outcomes, and the type of care patients receive, but it's only currently active in 11 states. This article describes nurses' ethical responsibility to participate in policy work and to advocate for funding for this program, as well as the importance of sharing their perspectives on caring for people who have SCD with legislative representatives.

Economic and Clinical Burden of Managing Sickle Cell Disease with Recurrent Vaso-Occlusive Crises in the United States

INTRODUCTION

The aim of this study was to describe the clinical complications, treatment use, healthcare resource utilization (HCRU), and costs among patients with sickle cell disease (SCD) with recurrent vaso-occlusive crises (VOCs) in the US.

METHODS

Merative MarketScan Databases were used to identify patients with SCD with recurrent VOCs from March 1, 2010, to March 1, 2019. Inclusion criteria were ≥ 1 inpatient or  ≥ 2 outpatient claims for SCD and ≥ 2 VOCs per year in any 2 consecutive years after the first qualifying SCD diagnosis. Individuals without SCD in these databases were used as matched controls. Patients were followed for ≥ 12 months, from their second VOC in the 2nd year (index date) to the earliest of inpatient death, end of continuous enrollment in medical/pharmacy benefits, or March 1, 2020. Outcomes were assessed during follow-up.

RESULTS

In total, 3420 patients with SCD with recurrent VOCs and 16,722 matched controls were identified. Patients with SCD with recurrent VOCs had a mean of 5.0 VOCs (standard deviation [SD] = 6.0), 2.7 inpatient admissions (SD 2.9), and 5.0 emergency department visits (SD 8.0) per patient per year during follow-up. Compared to matched controls, patients with SCD with recurrent VOCs incurred higher annual ($67,282 vs. $4134) and lifetime ($3.8 million vs. $229,000 over 50 years) healthcare costs.

CONCLUSION

Patients with SCD with recurrent VOCs experience substantial clinical and economic burden driven by inpatient costs and frequent VOCs. There is a major unmet need for treatments that alleviate or eliminate clinical complications, including VOCs, and reduce healthcare costs in this patient population.

#ChronicPain: Automated Building of a Chronic Pain Cohort from Twitter Using Machine Learning

Background

Due to the high burden of chronic pain, and the detrimental public health consequences of its treatment with opioids, there is a high-priority need to identify effective alternative therapies. Social media is a potentially valuable resource for knowledge about self-reported therapies by chronic pain sufferers.

Methods

We attempted to (a) verify the presence of large-scale chronic pain-related chatter on Twitter, (b) develop natural language processing and machine learning methods for automatically detecting self-disclosures, (c) collect longitudinal data posted by them, and (d) semiautomatically analyze the types of chronic pain-related information reported by them. We collected data using chronic pain-related hashtags and keywords and manually annotated 4,998 posts to indicate if they were self-reports of chronic pain experiences. We trained and evaluated several state-of-the-art supervised text classification models and deployed the best-performing classifier. We collected all publicly available posts from detected cohort members and conducted manual and natural language processing-driven descriptive analyses.

Results

Interannotator agreement for the binary annotation was 0.82 (Cohen's kappa). The RoBERTa model performed best (F1 score: 0.84; 95% confidence interval: 0.80 to 0.89), and we used this model to classify all collected unlabeled posts. We discovered 22,795 self-reported chronic pain sufferers and collected over 3 million of their past posts. Further analyses revealed information about, but not limited to, alternative treatments, patient sentiments about treatments, side effects, and self-management strategies.

Conclusion

Our social media based approach will result in an automatically growing large cohort over time, and the data can be leveraged to identify effective opioid-alternative therapies for diverse chronic pain types.

The Role of Antiplatelet in the Management of Sickle Cell Disease Patients

Sickle cell disease (SCD) is a genetic disorder characterized by abnormal hemoglobin, leading to red blood cell deformities and subsequent vaso-occlusive events. Platelet activation and adhesion play a significant role in the pathophysiology of SCD, contributing to the development of complications such as vaso-occlusive events, stroke, acute chest syndrome, and other manifestations. Antiplatelet therapy has emerged as a potential strategy to mitigate these complications by modulating the platelet function and reducing thrombotic events. This review article provides an overview of antiplatelet therapy's role in managing SCD patients. It discusses the pathophysiological abnormalities in the platelet function in SCD, the rationale for antiplatelet therapy, and the evidence supporting its use in various clinical scenarios. The article explores aspirin as the primary antiplatelet agent in SCD, including its mechanism of action, dosing considerations, and efficacy and safety data. Additionally, it highlights other antiplatelet agents, such as clopidogrel, prasugrel, ticagrelor, and emerging therapies under investigation. Clinical applications of antiplatelet therapy in primary and secondary prevention and the management of acute chest syndrome and other SCD complications are also discussed. Safety considerations are emphasized, including bleeding risk assessment, monitoring, and patient selection for antiplatelet therapy. Finally, the review highlights future research and clinical practice directions, including the development of novel antiplatelet agents, combination therapies, and the integration of antiplatelet therapy with other SCD treatments. Overall, this review provides a comprehensive understanding of the current role of antiplatelet therapy in SCD management, the challenges faced, and future directions for improving patient outcomes.

Adolescents and Young Adults With Sickle Cell Disease: Nociplastic Pain and Pain Catastrophizing as Predictors of Pain Interference and Opioid Consumption

OBJECTIVES

Some patients with sickle cell disease (SCD) have features of nociplastic pain. While research suggests that many patients with nociplastic pain consume more opioids due to opioid nonresponsiveness, little is known about the impact of nociplastic pain and pain catastrophizing on opioid consumption and pain interference among adolescents and young adults (AYA) with SCD. The purpose of this study was to (1) characterize nociplastic pain and pain catastrophizing among AYA with SCD, and (2) determine whether these characterizations are associated with subsequent opioid consumption and pain interference 1 month after characterization.

METHODS

Participants completed surveys characterizing nociplastic pain and catastrophizing at a routine clinic visit (baseline). Thereafter, participants received weekly text messages that included pain interference and opioid consumption surveys. Multipredictor 2-part models were used to evaluate the predictive relationships between baseline characterizations and subsequent pain interference, and opioid consumption.

RESULTS

Forty-eight AYA aged 14 to 35 completed baseline measures. Twenty-five percent of participants had scores suggestive of nociplastic pain. Greater nociplastic pain features significantly increased the odds of consuming opioids (odds ratio=1.2) and having greater interference from pain (odds ratio=1.46). Regression analyses found that greater baseline nociplastic pain characteristics were significantly associated with opioid consumption (β=0.13) and pain interference (β=0.061); whereas higher pain catastrophizing scores predicted less opioid consumption (β=-0.03) and less pain interference (β=-0.0007).

DISCUSSION

In this sample of AYA with SCD, features of nociplastic pain predicted higher subsequent opioid consumption and pain interference. Being aware of nociplastic pain features in patients with SCD may better guide individualized pain management.

Using an individualized pain management plan for African American adults with sickle cell disease

BACKGROUND

The increased lifespan of individuals having sickle cell disease (SCD) causes an overall increase in hospitalizations and more instances in which pain may not be well controlled.

LOCAL PROBLEM

The mainstay treatment for severe pain is opioids and the underlying cause. Laws affecting opioid prescribing, implicit bias, racial inequity, poor research funding, and lack of knowledge contribute to poor patient outcomes.

METHOD

Data were collected retrospectively using electronic medical record data from before and after the intervention.

INTERVENTION

The individualized pain management plan (IPMP) was initiated in collaboration with the patient, pain nurse practitioner (NP), and hematologist.

RESULT

The mean length of stay for the traditional pain management plan (TPMP) was 7.89 days compared with 5.66 days for the IPMP, with a mean difference of 2.23 days, t = 2.278, p = .024 ( p < .05). There was a decrease in the admission of the individuals with the IPMP, with 25% readmitted within 30 days of discharge, versus 59.0% who were readmitted using the TPMP. Chi-square showed statistical significance (χ 2 = 61.667, p = .000) in using nonpharmacological interventions with the IPMP group.

CONCLUSION

The IPMP with a patient-centered approach did improve patient outcomes for African American adults living with SCD.

Patient and Family Opioid Decision-Making for Pain Management in Sickle Cell Disease: A Qualitative Study

Pain is a significant symptom experienced frequently by individuals with sickle cell disease (SCD). Pain management includes strategies such as oral rehydration, non-pharmacological therapies (eg, massage, relaxation), and oral analgesics and opioids. Shared decision-making around pain management is emphasized repeatedly in recent guidelines; however, research is sparse regarding factors to be considered in shared decision-making approaches including the perceived risks and benefits of opioids. This qualitative descriptive study was conducted to explore perspectives of decision-making for opioid medications in SCD. We conducted 20 in-depth interviews with caregivers of children with SCD and individuals with SCD to elucidate the decision-making processes around home use of opioid therapy for pain management at a single center. Themes were identified in the domains of the Decision Problem (Alternatives and Choices; Outcomes and Consequences; Complexity), the Context (Multilevel Stressors and Supports; Information; Patient-Provider Interactions), and the Patient (Decision-Making Approaches; Developmental Status; Personal and Life Values; Psychological State). Key findings indicated opioid management for pain in SCD is important yet complex and requires collaboration among patients, families, and providers. Elements of patient and caregiver decision-making identified in this study may be applied to shared decision-making strategies in the clinical setting and future study. PERSPECTIVE: This study illustrates the factors involved in decision-making around home opioid use for pain management in children and young adults with SCD. These findings can be applied to determining shared decision-making approaches around pain management between providers and patients, in accordance with recent SCD pain management guidelines.

Management of fever and acute painful crises in children with sickle cell disease in emergency departments: a tertiary hospital experience

Sickle Cell Disease (SCD) is highly prevalent in Saudi Arabia with variable demographics and access to health care facilities including emergency departments. Literature reviews for locally published articles are deficient in the in-depth evaluation of current emergency practices in managing patients with SCD. The study aims to assess the current emergency practice in managing SCD patients in tertiary hospitals. We reviewed data of 212 visits by patients with SCD over three years and assessed the current emergency department practices in managing common SCD crises, such as vaso-occlusive (VOC) and febrile episodes. Our findings revealed that 47.2%, 37.7%, and 15% of the patients presented with pain, fever, or both, respectively. The patients were triaged level III according to the Canadian triage and acuity scale system in 89% of the visits. The Median time for patients to see healthcare providers was 22 min. In the first 2 h, 86% of the patients received at least one fluid bolus and 79% of them received appropriate analgesia for pain crises. Approximately 41.5% of the patients with fever were admitted and received ceftriaxone as single intravenous antimicrobial agent. However, none of the patients had bacteremia. Only 2.4% of the patients had either urinary tract infection or osteomyelitis based on imaging. ED management is a key factor in the successful management of patients with SCD in a timely manner by providing fluids, analgesia, and antibiotics. Adopting evidence-based guidelines and avoiding unnecessary admissions are suggested in clinically well patients with fever in the era of completed vaccination, antibiotic prophylaxis, and good access to care for patients with a clear viral infection focus.

The Complex Association of Daily Opioid Dose with Visits for Pain in Sickle Cell Disease: Tolerance or Treatment-Refractory Pain?

INTRODUCTION

Opioids are used for acute and chronic pain in patients with sickle cell disease. How outpatient opioid regimens relate to acute care visits is of interest given the risks of high opioid doses and high hospital utilization. A prior study by our group suggested that outpatient opioid treatment for chronic pain could contribute to a vicious cycle of treatment-refractory acute pain, greater acute care utilization, and escalating opioid doses. The present larger naturalistic observational study was undertaken to determine whether the results were reliable across multiple acute care settings.

METHODS

One year of clinical data on patients (n = 291) followed in the Sickle Cell Center for Adults (August 2018 to July 2019) were extracted, including visits to the emergency department, visits to the infusion center, and inpatient admissions. Outpatient opioid dosage was used to predict acute care treatment in generalized linear models that were controlled for patient, disease, and treatment characteristics.

RESULTS

Outpatient opioid dosage predicted dosage during visits but did not predict visit length or pain relief. Higher outpatient opioid dosage was associated with greater number of visits. However, in post hoc analyses, this relationship was nonlinear, with a clear positive association only for those prescribed the lowest 50% of dosages.

DISCUSSION

Higher outpatient opioid dosage predicted higher dosages during acute care visits to achieve the same pain score improvement, which is more consistent with opioid tolerance than with treatment-refractory pain. The relationship of outpatient opioid dosage with number of acute care visits was more complex, which suggests that opioid consumption at lower levels is driven by intermittent acute pain and opioid consumption at higher levels is driven by chronic pain.

Analgesic Patterns and Opioid Administration in Children Hospitalized With Acute Pancreatitis

BACKGROUND

Pain is the most common symptom of acute pancreatitis (AP), and opioids have been utilized as the cornerstone of treatment. Despite the adverse effects of opioids, data on effective analgesia in children with AP is lacking. We aimed to evaluate analgesia prescribing patterns in pediatric AP, identify factors associated with opioid administration, and test the associations between opioid administration and hospital length of stay (LOS).

METHODS

This is a retrospective cohort study of pediatric AP hospitalizations in a single institution from 2010 to 2020. Opioid administration was calculated for the first 48 hours of admission (morphine milligram equivalent; MME48). Data on multimodal analgesia [defined as the administration of acetaminophen and nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs)] during hospitalization was captured.

RESULTS

The sample included 224 patients, mean age 12.0 years (standard deviation = 4.9) and 58.9% female. Median LOS was 4 days (interquartile range 2-9). Most patients (71.4%) were prescribed opioids, 77.7% acetaminophen, 40.2% NSAIDs, and 37.5% multimodal analgesia. Opioid administration decreased over the study period; in contrast, there was an increase in multimodal analgesia administration. Opioid administration did not differ by sex, age, biliary versus non-biliary etiology, or race/ethnicity. In a multivariate regression model, lower albumin values ( P < 0.01) and younger age ( P < 0.05) were significant predictors of increased LOS, while MME48 was not associated with increased LOS.

CONCLUSIONS

Opioids were commonly administered; only 37.5% of children were administered multimodal analgesia during their hospitalization for AP. Opioid administration was not associated with increased LOS. Prospective studies are needed to determine optimal pain management for pediatric AP.

Time to pain relief: A randomized controlled trial in the emergency department during vaso-occlusive episodes in sickle cell disease

OBJECTIVE

Compare time to pain relief (minimum of a 13 mm and 30% reduction) during an Emergency Department (ED) visit among patients with sickle cell disease (SCD) experiencing severe pain associated with a vaso-occlusive episode who were randomized to receive either an individualized or weight-based pain protocol.

METHODS

A randomized controlled trial in two EDs. Adults with sickle cell disease. Research staff recorded pain scores every 30 min during an ED visit (up to 6 h in the ED) using a 0-100 mm visual analogue scale. Analysis included 122 visits, representing 49 patients (individualized: 61 visits, 25 patients; standard: 61 visits, 24 patients).

RESULTS

Pain reduction across 6-h was greater for the individualized compared to the standard protocol (protocol-by-time: p = .02; 6-h adjusted pain score comparison: Individualized: M = 29.2, SD = 38.8, standard: M = 45.3, SD = 35.6; p = .03, Cohen d = 0.43). Hazards models indicated a greater probability of 13 mm (HR = 1.54, 95% CI = 1.05, 2.27, p = .03) and 30% (HR = 1.71, 95% CI = 1.11, 2.63, p = .01) reduction in the individualized relative to the standard protocol.

CONCLUSIONS

Patients who received treatment with an individualized protocol experienced a more rapid reduction in pain, including a 13 mm and 30% reduction in pain scores when compared to those that received weight-based dosing.

Ketamine use for management of vaso-occlusive pain in pediatric sickle cell disease

BACKGROUND

Typical sickle cell disease (SCD) vaso-occlusive pain episode (VOE) management includes opioids, which are often inadequate and can be associated with significant side effects. Ketamine, a dissociative anesthetic, is a potentially effective adjunct to VOE management.

OBJECTIVES

This study aimed to characterize ketamine use for VOE management in pediatric SCD.

METHOD

This retrospective case series summarizes a single-center experience regarding the use of ketamine for inpatient management of pediatric VOE in 156 admissions from 2014 to 2020.

RESULTS

Continuous low-dose ketamine infusion was most commonly prescribed to adolescents and young adults as an adjunct to opioids (median starting dose 2.0 μg/kg/min; median maximum dose 3.0 μg/kg/min). Ketamine was started a median of 13.7 hours after admission. Median ketamine infusion duration was 3 days. In most encounters, ketamine infusion was discontinued prior to opioid patient-controlled analgesia (PCA) discontinuation. The majority of encounters (79.3%) had a reduction in either PCA dose, continuous opioid infusion, or both while receiving ketamine. Low-dose ketamine infusion was associated with side effects noted in 21.8% (n = 34) of encounters. The most common side effects included dizziness (5.6%), hallucinations (5.1%), dissociation (2.6%), and sedation (1.9%). There were no reports of ketamine withdrawal. Most patients who received ketamine went on to receive it again during a subsequent admission.

CONCLUSION

Further study is needed to determine the optimal timing of ketamine initiation and dosing. The variability of ketamine administration highlights the need for standardized protocols for ketamine use in VOE management.

Pathogenic human variant that dislocates GATA2 zinc fingers disrupts hematopoietic gene expression and signaling networks

Although certain human genetic variants are conspicuously loss of function, decoding the impact of many variants is challenging. Previously, we described a patient with leukemia predisposition syndrome (GATA2 deficiency) with a germline GATA2 variant that inserts 9 amino acids between the 2 zinc fingers (9aa-Ins). Here, we conducted mechanistic analyses using genomic technologies and a genetic rescue system with Gata2 enhancer-mutant hematopoietic progenitor cells to compare how GATA2 and 9aa-Ins function genome-wide. Despite nuclear localization, 9aa-Ins was severely defective in occupying and remodeling chromatin and regulating transcription. Variation of the inter-zinc finger spacer length revealed that insertions were more deleterious to activation than repression. GATA2 deficiency generated a lineage-diverting gene expression program and a hematopoiesis-disrupting signaling network in progenitors with reduced granulocyte-macrophage colony-stimulating factor (GM-CSF) and elevated IL-6 signaling. As insufficient GM-CSF signaling caused pulmonary alveolar proteinosis and excessive IL-6 signaling promoted bone marrow failure and GATA2 deficiency patient phenotypes, these results provide insight into mechanisms underlying GATA2-linked pathologies.

Intraindividual pain variability metrics for youth with sickle cell disease: Relations to health outcomes

BACKGROUND

While the majority of pediatric sickle cell disease (SCD) research has used mean pain intensity as the only pain metric, recent evidence suggests this metric alone is inadequate in describing the intraindividual variability in SCD pain experiences and subsequent impact. There is limited information on other intraindividual pain metrics in youth with SCD, or how they relate to health outcomes in this population. The aims of this study were to describe differing patterns of intraindividual pain metrics derived from ecological momentary assessments (EMAs) of youth with SCD and to characterize the unique relationships between these metrics and health outcomes.

METHODS

Eighty-eight youth with SCD, aged 8-17 (mean age = 11.6), were recruited from three regional pediatric SCD clinics in the United States. At baseline, youth and their guardians reported on demographic and disease information. Then youth completed twice daily EMAs for up to 4 weeks. Pain metrics derived from EMA data were calculated including mean daily pain intensity (DP), SD-DP (standard deviation of DP), proportion of pain days (PPD), and 90th percentile of DP (p90). Pearson correlations were calculated between pain metrics and health outcomes.

RESULTS

High DP and SD-DP were correlated with more anxiety symptoms, while high SD-DP and p90 were correlated with more depression symptoms. High SD-DP was correlated with low self-esteem, and high DP and PPD were correlated with low sickle cell self-efficacy. For healthcare utilization due to pain, high p90 was correlated with more emergency department visits, while high DP, p90, and PPD were correlated with more healthcare contacts.

CONCLUSION

There are distinct associations between pain variability metrics beyond DP and health outcomes. Collectively, the patterns of associations suggest the utility of these pain metrics for determining risk in relation to specific health outcomes for youth with SCD.

Intranasal fentanyl and discharge from the emergency department among children with sickle cell disease and vaso-occlusive pain: A multicenter pediatric emergency medicine perspective

Children with sickle cell disease (SCD) commonly experience vaso-occlusive pain episodes (VOE) due to sickling of erythrocytes, which often requires care in the emergency department. Our objective was to assess the use and impact of intranasal fentanyl for the treatment of children with SCD-VOE on discharge from the emergency department in a multicenter study. We conducted a cross-sectional study at 20 academic pediatric emergency departments in the United States and Canada. We used logistic regression to test bivariable and multivariable associations between the outcome of discharge from the emergency department and candidate variables theoretically associated with discharge. The study included 400 patients; 215 (54%) were female. The median age was 14.6 (interquartile range 9.8, 17.6) years. Nineteen percent (n = 75) received intranasal fentanyl in the emergency department. Children who received intranasal fentanyl had nearly nine-fold greater adjusted odds of discharge from the emergency department compared to those who did not (adjusted odds ratio 8.99, 95% CI 2.81-30.56, p < .001). The rapid onset of action and ease of delivery without intravenous access offered by intranasal fentanyl make it a feasible initial parenteral analgesic in the treatment of children with SCD presenting with VOE in the acute-care setting. Further study is needed to determine potential causality of the association between intranasal fentanyl and discharge from the emergency department observed in this multicenter study.

Management of Older Adults with Sickle Cell Disease: Considerations for Current and Emerging Therapies

People with sickle cell disease (SCD) are living longer than ever before, with the median survival increasing from age 14 years in 1973, beyond age 40 years in the 1990s, and as high as 61 years in recent cohorts from academic centers. Improvements in survival have been attributed to initiatives, such as newborn screening, penicillin prophylaxis, vaccination against encapsulated organisms, better detection and treatment of splenic sequestration, and improved transfusion support. There are an estimated 100,000 people living with SCD in the United States and millions of people with SCD globally. Given that the number of older adults with SCD will likely continue to increase as survival improves, better evidence on how to manage this population is needed. When managing older adults with SCD (defined herein as age ≥ 40 years), healthcare providers should consider the potential pitfalls of extrapolating evidence from existing studies on current and emerging therapies that have typically been conducted with participants at mean ages far below 40 years. Older adults with SCD have historically had little to no representation in clinical trials; therefore, more guidance is needed on how to use current and emerging therapies in this population. This article summarizes the available evidence for managing older adults with SCD and discusses potential challenges to using approved and emerging drugs in this population.

Non-pharmacological pain interventions for sickle cell crisis in pediatrics: A scoping review

PROBLEM

Sickle cell crises (SCC) are recurrent, severe pain episodes experienced by people living with sickle cell disease (SCD). Non-pharmacological interventions have been recommended for SCC pain management however, little is known about the impact of these interventions on SCC pain. This scoping review aims to systematically identify evidence on the use and effectiveness of non-pharmacological interventions for pain management during SCC in the pediatric population.

ELIGIBILITY CRITERIA

Studies were eligible if they are published in English and focusing on the use of any non-pharmacological interventions on pain during SCC in pediatric patients. Nine databases were searched including Medline, CINAHL and PsychInfo. Also, the reference lists of relevant studies were searched.

SAMPLE

The database searching yielded 1517 studies. After the title and abstract screening, 1348 studies were excluded, and 169 full texts were retrieved and screened. One study was identified through handsearching. Finally, 27 articles were included in this scoping review.

RESULTS

Across all studies, 27 different non-pharmacological interventions were identified. There were inconsistent results regarding the effectiveness of virtual reality, guided imagery, and cognitive-behavioral interventions in experimental studies. The most common interventions used at home were prayer, massage, and distraction. The main interventions used in hospitals were prayer and fluid intake, but this was explored by a few studies.

CONCLUSION

Pediatric SCD patients use numerous non-pharmacological interventions to manage pain during SCC. However, the impact of many interventions on SCC pain has not been empirically investigated.

IMPLICATIONS

Further research is necessary to establish the effectiveness of non-pharmacological interventions on SCC pain.

Hidden Comorbidities in Asthma: A Perspective for a Personalized Approach

Bronchial asthma is the most frequent inflammatory non-communicable condition affecting the airways worldwide. It is commonly associated with concomitant conditions, which substantially contribute to its burden, whether they involve the lung or other districts. The present review aims at providing an overview of the recent acquisitions in terms of asthma concomitant systemic conditions, besides the commonly known respiratory comorbidities. The most recent research has highlighted a number of pathobiological interactions between asthma and other organs in the view of a shared immunological background underling different diseases. A bi-univocal relationship between asthma and common conditions, including cardiovascular, metabolic or neurodegenerative diseases, as well as rare disorders such as sickle cell disease, α1-Antitrypsin deficiency and immunologic conditions with hyper-eosinophilia, should be considered and explored, in terms of diagnostic work-up and long-term assessment of asthma patients. The relevance of that acquisition is of utmost importance in the management of asthma patients and paves the way to a new approach in the light of a personalized medicine perspective, besides targeted therapies.

Efficacy and safety of pharmacological interventions for managing sickle cell disease complications in children and adolescents: Systematic review with network meta-analysis

This study aimed to synthesize the evidence on the effects of disease-modifying agents for managing sickle cell disease (SCD) in children and adolescents by means of a systematic review with network meta-analyses, surface under the cumulative ranking curve (SUCRA) and stochastic multicriteria acceptability analyses (SMAA) (CRD42022328471). Eightteen randomized controlled trials (hydroxyurea [n = 7], l-arginine [n = 3], antiplatelets [n = 2], immunotherapy/monoclonal antibodies [n = 2], sulfates [n = 2], docosahexaenoic acid [n = 1], niprisan [n = 1]) were analyzed. SUCRA and SMAA demonstrated that hydroxyurea at higher doses (30 mg/kg/day) or at fixed doses (20 mg/kg/day) and immunotherapy/monoclonal antibodies are more effective for preventing vaso-occlusive crisis (i.e., lower probabilities of incidence of this event; 14, 25, and 30%, respectively), acute chest syndrome (probabilities ranging from 8 to 30%), and needing of transfusions (11-31%), while l-arginine (100-200 mg/kg) and placebo were more prone to these events. Therapies were overall considered safe; however, antiplatelets and sulfates may lead to more severe adverse events. Although the evidence was graded as insufficient and weak, hydroxyurea remains the standard of care for this population, especially if a maximum tolerated dose schedule is considered.

An outpatient pain plan and ED pain pathway for adults with sickle cell disease

ABSTRACT

Sickle cell disease (SCD), one of the most common inherited diseases, is associated with lifetime morbidity and reduced life expectancy. In the United States, SCD primarily affects Black patients and, to a lesser degree, those of Hispanic descent. These populations are known to have healthcare disparities related to lower socioeconomic status, limited access to healthcare, and racial bias. The quality-adjusted life expectancy of patients with SCD is less than 35 years, because of progressive complications of the disease. The most common complication is severe episodic pain related to vaso-occlusive ischemic events. Despite guidelines, pain management often is delayed as patients struggle with resistance from clinicians based on concerns over opioid use or abuse, overdose, or drug-seeking behavior. Effective pain management can be accomplished with collaboration between clinicians and patients, a documented outpatient pain management plan, and when necessary, an ED clinical pain pathway for acute SCD pain management.

Contemporary Management and Prevention of Vaso-Occlusive Crises (VOCs) in Adults With Sickle Cell Disease

Sickle cell disease (SCD) is a hematological disorder that primarily affects individuals of African descent from sub-Saharan Africa and along the mediterranean. The main complications leading to hospitalizations include vaso-occlusive crises (VOCs) and acute chest syndrome (ACS). Therefore, the main objective of this paper was to identify and evaluate evidence-based management and prevention of VOCs in patients with SCD. A literature search of PubMed, Medline Cochrane and Google Scholar database (January 1985 to April 2020) was performed using the following search terms "vaso-occlusive crises", "sickle cell disease", "hydroxyurea", "L-glutamine", "voxelotor", "crizanlizumab", "treatment" and "prevention" as well as a combination of these terms. All English-language interventional studies assessing the efficacy and safety of VOC outcomes were evaluated. Literature was excluded if published in a language other than English or if it was a review article. A total of 69 articles were identified and there were 7 articles that met the search criteria. Majority of the studies focused on mean and median annual rates of VOCs as primary outcomes while median time to first sickle cell crises, median rates of hospitalizations etc were evaluated as secondary outcomes. After reviewing the literature, many patients with VOCs will still benefit from hydroxyurea therapy since long term efficacy data and cost is still a concern for the newer agents including L-glutamine, voxelotor and crizanlizumab. Other factors such as cost or compliance may also be taken into consideration when making recommendations for therapy.

Sickle cell disease in children: an update of the evidence in low- and middle-income settings

Sickle cell disease (SCD), one of the most common monogenetic diseases in the world, is associated with multisystemic complications that begin in childhood. Most of the babies homozygous for the sickle haemoglobin gene are born in sub-Saharan Africa. Over the years, progress has been made with early diagnosis through newborn screening, penicillin prophylaxis, pneumococcal immunisation, transcranial Doppler (TCD) screening, hydroxyurea therapy and chronic blood transfusions with remarkably improved survival and quality of life of children with SCD. However, wide disparities in outcomes exist between high-income countries (HICs) where over 90% survive to adulthood, and low-income and middle-income countries (LMICs) where less than half achieve that milestone. Even in HICs, racial inequities pose barriers to accessing specialised care and receiving treatment for acute pain episodes. Better understanding of SCD pathophysiology is being exploited to develop new disease-modifying drugs and gene therapy approaches to further improve outcomes. Bone marrow transplantation is established as a curative treatment for SCD, but it is largely unavailable in LMICs. To bridge the disparity and inequity gaps, innovative approaches are needed in LMICs. Validated and more affordable, easy-to-use point-of-care tests offer opportunities to link early diagnosis with immunisation programmes and healthcare encounters. Widespread use of hydroxyurea therapy-a relatively affordable and effective disease-modifying drug-in LMICs would help improve survival and quality of life. Integration of SCD treatment into primary care linked to district level/provincial hospitals that are supported with evidence-based guidelines will help extend needed interventions to many more patients living in LMICs.

Feasibility and Acceptability of Online Recruitment and an Online Brief Mindfulness Intervention Among Patients With Sickle Cell Disease

Background Pain among young adult patients with sickle cell disease (PWSCD) is a highly significant public health problem associated with reduced quality of life. Due to issues uniquely affecting PWSCD, including distrust of research, challenging life situations, debilitating pain, stigma, and logistical challenges (e.g., child or elder care and transportation), SCD researchers often find it challenging to meet sample size and enrollment targets. To our knowledge, all known SCD studies have solely recruited participants in person (e.g., clinics and local organizations) and utilized lengthy interventions with suboptimal recruitment and retention results. Newer recruitment methods, such as online recruitment, need to be explored for research among PWSCD. In this pilot project, we sought to address these challenges by investigating: 1) a novel method of using online outreach to recruit/enroll young PWSCD and 2) a novel, brief online mindfulness intervention adapted from Mindfulness-Oriented Recovery Enhancement (MORE): Mini-MORE designed to treat pain among PWSCD.  Methods Participants (N = 32) were recruited online (e.g., paid advertisements on Facebook and NextDoor; free advertisements on Facebook groups and Reddit) and screened by phone from October 25 to November 8, 2022. Participants watched an online Mini-MORE video. Immediately before and after watching the video, participants rated their pain intensity and unpleasantness on an 11-point numeric rating scale (NRS). Afterward, participants were emailed an individualized link to additional audio recordings for ongoing practice. Immediately before and after accessing the additional recordings, participants rated their pain intensity, anxiety, and depression on an 11-point NRS. T-tests were used to examine the impact of Mini MORE on outcomes at two-time points. Results A total of 84 participants completed the self-screening. The majority of self-screeners resulted from free posts in Facebook groups (77%), Reddit (1%), and Craigslist (6%). Thirty-two (32) eligible participants agreed to join a Zoom meeting to watch the video. The entire Mini-MORE video was viewed by 31 of 32 participants (97%). Pain intensity decreased by 1.7 points (p<0.001, Cohen's d=2.19), and pain unpleasantness decreased by 2.1 points (p<0.001, Cohen's d=2.20). Listening to the supplemental recordings was associated with significant, immediate decreases in pain intensity by 1.3 points (p=0.015, Cohen's d=2.05), anxiety by 1.8 points (p=0.022, Cohen's d=3.10), and depression by 1.74 points (p=0.019, Cohen's d=2.94). Conclusions Results suggest that online methods are feasible in recruiting and enrolling young PWSCD, and the online Mini-MORE intervention is acceptable among PWSCD. Future research is needed to assess whether Mini-MORE is associated with decreased pain symptomology in young PWSCD.

Consensus definition of essential, optimal, and suggested components of a pediatric sickle cell disease center

Sickle cell disease (SCD) requires coordinated, specialized medical care for optimal outcomes. There are no United States (US) guidelines that define a pediatric comprehensive SCD program. We report a modified Delphi consensus-seeking process to determine essential, optimal, and suggested elements of a comprehensive pediatric SCD center. Nineteen pediatric SCD specialists participated from the US. Consensus was predefined as 2/3 agreement on each element's categorization. Twenty-six elements were considered essential (required for guideline-based SCD care), 10 were optimal (recommended but not required), and five were suggested. This work lays the foundation for a formal recognition process of pediatric comprehensive SCD centers.

Flurbiprofen inhibits heme induced NLRP3 inflammasome in Berkeley sickle cell disease mice

Sickle cell disease (SCD) is accompanied by several complications, which emanate from the sickling of erythrocytes due to a point mutation in the β-globin chain of hemoglobin. Sickled erythrocytes are unable to move smoothly through small blood capillaries and therefore, cause vaso occlusion and severe pain. Apart from pain, continuous lysis of fragile sickled erythrocytes leads to the release of heme, which is a strong activator of the NLRP3 inflammasome, thus producing chronic inflammation in sickle cell disease. In this study, we identified flurbiprofen among other COX-2 inhibitors to be a potent inhibitor of heme-induced NLRP3 inflammasome. We found that apart from being a nociceptive agent, flurbiprofen exerts a strong anti-inflammatory effect by suppressing NF-κB signaling, which was evidenced by reduced levels of TNF-α and IL-6 in wild-type and sickle cell disease Berkeley mice models. Our data further demonstrated the protective effect of flurbiprofen on liver, lungs, and spleen in Berkeley mice. The current sickle cell disease pain management regime relies mainly on opiate drugs, which is accompanied by several side effects without modifying the sickle cell disease-related pathology. Considering the potent role of flurbiprofen in inhibiting NLRP3 inflammasome and other inflammatory cytokines in sickle cell disease, our data suggests that it can be explored further for better sickle cell disease pain management along with the possibility of disease modification.

Role of regional anesthesia in patients with acute sickle cell pain: A scoping review

Sickle cell disease is the most prevalent inherited blood disorder in the world, with significant morbidity and mortality. Patients often have recurrent painful vaso-occlusive episodes, and the American Society of Hematology gives a conditional recommendation for the use of regional anesthesia for acute sickle cell pain management. This scoping review summarizes the current evidence and identifies gaps for future research. Our screening process is outlined, and articles that mentioned the use of regional anesthesia for acute sickle cell crises were included. We present and interpret our results and highlight opportunities for future investigation.

Telerehabilitation for musculoskeletal pain - An overview of systematic reviews

Background

Alternative measures for minimizing musculoskeletal pain, such as telerehabilitation, can be implemented in the context of the COVID-19 pandemic.

Objective

The aim of the present overview was to examine evidence from systematic reviews of telerehabilitation for managing musculoskeletal pain.

Methods

This study was conducted following the PRISMA recommendations. Searches were conducted of the Pubmed/Medline, Scopus, Cochrane Library, Web of Science and Embase databases for review articles published from the inception of the database to July 2022. To be included, the studies needed to be a systematic review, include any type of telerehabilitation and present any outcome related to musculoskeletal pain. Studies not available in English were excluded. Theses, dissertations, letters, conference abstracts and narrative reviews were also excluded. The methodological quality of the reviews was appraised using the Assessing the Methodological Quality of Systematic Reviews criteria. Data extraction was performed by two reviewers and included the characterization of the clinical condition and telerehabilitation program, main outcomes, method for appraising the methodological quality of the primary studies, results and quality of evidence.

Results

The search led to the retrieval of 390 potentially eligible studies and 16 systematic reviews were included in this overview. Eleven reviews had meta-analyses and most had high methodological quality. Five of six systematic reviews reported evidence supporting the telehealth intervention for chronic pain conditions; and two of three high-quality systematic reviews reported the absence of evidence for non-specific low back pain.

Conclusions

This overview of systematic reviews enables a better understanding of the characteristics of telerehabilitation programs, provides information for use in clinical practice and describes gaps in the research that need to be filled.

CureSCi Metadata Catalog-Making sickle cell studies findable

OBJECTIVES

To adopt the FAIR principles (Findable, Accessible, Interoperable, Reusable) to enhance data sharing, the Cure Sickle Cell Initiative (CureSCi) MetaData Catalog (MDC) was developed to make Sickle Cell Disease (SCD) study datasets more Findable by curating study metadata and making them available through an open-access web portal.

METHODS

Study metadata, including study protocol, data collection forms, and data dictionaries, describe information about study patient-level data. We curated key metadata of 16 SCD studies in a three-tiered conceptual framework of category, subcategory, and data element using ontologies and controlled vocabularies to organize the study variables. We developed the CureSCi MDC by indexing study metadata to enable effective browse and search capabilities at three levels: study, Patient-Reported Outcome (PRO) Measures, and data element levels.

RESULTS

The CureSCi MDC offers several browse and search tools to discover studies by study level, PRO Measures, and data elements. The "Browse Studies," "Browse Studies by PRO Measures," and "Browse Studies by Data Elements" tools allow users to identify studies through pre-defined conceptual categories. "Search by Keyword" and "Search Data Element by Concept Category" can be used separately or in combination to provide more granularity to refine the search results. This resource helps investigators find information about specific data elements across studies using public browsing/search tools, before going through data request procedures to access controlled datasets. The MDC makes SCD studies more Findable through browsing/searching study information, PRO Measures, and data elements, aiding in the reuse of existing SCD data.