Improving outcomes in children with sickle cell disease: treatment considerations and strategies

Comparison of in-hospital mortality in children and adolescents with sickle cell disease in a resource-limited setting before and during the COVID-19 pandemic

BACKGROUND

COVID-19 in children and adolescents with sickle cell disease (SCD) has variable presentations (from mild to severe disease), and the main symptoms are vaso-occlusive crises (VOC) and acute chest syndrome (ACS). We hypothesized that the desertion of hospitals due to the pandemic would lead to late arrival at the emergency room and an increased mortality. In this study, we sought to measure and compare the mortality of children with sickle cell disease before and during the COVID-19 pandemic.

MATERIAL AND METHODS

We conducted a retrospective cohort study at the sickle cell disease management center of Laquintinie Hospital in Douala (Cameroon). The study period was divided into two, i.e., from March 2019 to February 2020 (Pre-COVID-19) and from March 2020 to February 2021 (COVID-19). All administrative and ethical considerations were fully respected. Data were analyzed using SPSS 20.0.

RESULTS

Overall, 823 patients were admitted during the study period. Males represented 52.4% of the overall population, giving a sex ratio of 1.1:1. We admitted 479 patients during the pre-COVID-19 period versus 344 patients during the COVID-19 period, which is a 28.2% drop in admissions during the COVID-19 period. The mortality rate was 3.5% during the pre-COVID-19 period and 3.2% during the COVID-19 period (p>0.05). The most common causes of death were ACS (39.3%, n = 11), severe anemia (25.0%, n = 7), and VOC (17.9%, n = 5). ACS (adjusted odds ratio [aOR]=3.628, 95% confidence interval [CI], [1.645-7.005], p<0.001) was significantly associated with mortality.

CONCLUSION

During the COVID-19 pandemic, although the consultation frequency decreased, the mortality rate of sickle cell disease patients remained unchanged.

Hypercoagulability in Sickle Cell Disease: A Thrombo-Inflammatory Mechanism

Sickle cell disease (SCD) is a group of inherited disorders characterized by the presence of abnormal hemoglobin S. Patients with SCD suffer from frequent episodes of anemia, chronic hemolysis, pain crisis, and vaso-occlusion. Additionally, SCD is associated with diverse and serious clinical complications, including thrombosis, which can lead to organ failure, increased morbidity, and eventually, mortality. SCD is known to be a hypercoagulable condition, and the cause of hypercoagulability is multifactorial, with the molecular basis of hemoglobin S being the main driver. The presence of hemoglobin S induces sickling of the RBCs and their subsequent hemolysis, as well as oxidative stress. Both of these processes can alter the hemostatic system, through the activation of platelets, coagulation system, and fibrinolysis, as well as depletion of coagulation inhibitors. These changes can also induce the formation of microvesicles and expression of tissue factor, leading to activation of WBCs, endothelial cell damage, and inflammatory response. Understanding the various factors that drive hypercoagulability as a thrombo-inflammatory mechanism in SCD can help provide explanations for the pathogenesis and other complications of the disease.

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.

The gut microbiome in sickle cell disease: Characterization and potential implications

BACKGROUND

Sickle Cell Disease (SCD) is an inherited blood disorder that leads to hemolytic anemia, pain, organ damage and early mortality. It is characterized by polymerized deoxygenated hemoglobin, rigid sickle red blood cells and vaso-occlusive crises (VOC). Recurrent hypoxia-reperfusion injury in the gut of SCD patients could increase tissue injury, permeability, and bacterial translocation. In this context, the gut microbiome, a major player in health and disease, might have significant impact. This study sought to characterize the gut microbiome in SCD.

METHODS

Stool and saliva samples were collected from healthy controls (n = 14) and SCD subjects (n = 14). Stool samples were also collected from humanized SCD murine models including Berk, Townes and corresponding control mice. Amplified 16S rDNA was used for bacterial composition analysis using Next Generation Sequencing (NGS). Pairwise group analyses established differential bacterial groups at many taxonomy levels. Bacterial group abundance and differentials were established using DeSeq software.

RESULTS

A major dysbiosis was observed in SCD patients. The Firmicutes/Bacteroidetes ratio was lower in these patients. The following bacterial families were more abundant in SCD patients: Acetobacteraceae, Acidaminococcaceae, Candidatus Saccharibacteria, Peptostreptococcaceae, Bifidobacteriaceae, Veillonellaceae, Actinomycetaceae, Clostridiales, Bacteroidacbactereae and Fusobacteriaceae. This dysbiosis translated into 420 different operational taxonomic units (OTUs). Townes SCD mice also displayed gut microbiome dysbiosis as seen in human SCD.

CONCLUSION

A major dysbiosis was observed in SCD patients for bacteria that are known strong pro-inflammatory triggers. The Townes mouse showed dysbiosis as well and might serve as a good model to study gut microbiome modulation and its impact on SCD pathophysiology.

Hematopoietic Cell Transplantation Outcomes among Medicaid and Privately Insured Patients with Sickle Cell Disease

Compared with privately insured patients, recipients of Medicaid have been reported to have worse outcomes in several clinical conditions and following various surgical and medical procedures. However, the relationship between health insurance status and allogeneic hematopoietic cell transplantation (alloHCT) outcomes among patients with sickle cell disease (SCD) is not well described. We sought to compare alloHCT outcomes between patients with SCD who underwent alloHCT while enrolled on Medicaid versus those who underwent alloHCT while covered by private health insurance. We conducted a retrospective multicenter study using data reported to the Center for International Blood and Marrow Transplant Research. US patients enrolled on Medicaid or private insurance who underwent a first alloHCT for SCD between 2008 and 2018 were eligible for this study. The primary outcome was event-free survival (EFS), defined as time to death or graft failure. Secondary outcomes included overall survival (OS), graft failure, acute graft-versus-host disease (GVHD), and chronic GVHD. Univariate analysis was performed using the Kaplan-Meier method for EFS and OS. The proportion of patients with graft failure, acute GVHD, and/or chronic GVHD was calculated using the cumulative incidence estimator to accommodate competing risks (ie, death). Cox regression was used to identify factors associated with EFS, OS, graft failure, and acute and chronic GVHD. A total of 399 patients (Medicaid, n = 225; private insurance, n = 174) were included in this study. The median duration of follow-up was 34 months (range, 1.0 to 134.7 months) for the Medicaid group and 38.7 months (range, 0.3 to 139.3 months) for the private insurance group. Compared with the patients with private insurance, those on Medicaid had a significantly lower 3-year EFS (75.4% [95% confidence interval (CI), 69.4% to 81%] versus 82.2% [95% CI, 76.9% to 87.8%]; P = .0279) and a significantly higher 3-year cumulative incidence of graft failure (17.2% [95% CI, 12.5% to 22.5%] versus 10.5% [95% CI, 6.4% to 15.4%]; P = .0372). There were no significant between-group differences in 3-year OS (P = .6337) or in the cumulative incidence of acute GVHD (P = .4556) or chronic GVHD (P = .6878). Cox regression analysis after adjusting for other significant variables showed that the patients enrolled on Medicaid had a lower EFS (hazard ratio [HR], 2.36; 95% CI, 1.44 to 3.85; P = .0006) and a higher cumulative incidence of graft failure (HR, 2.57; 95% CI, 1.43 to 4.60; P = .0015), with no significant between-group differences in OS (HR, 0.99; 95% CI, 0.47 to 2.07; P = .9765), acute GVHD (HR, 0.94; 95% CI, 0.59 to 1.49; P = .7905), or cGVHD (HR, 0.98; 95% CI, 0.65 to 1.48; P = .9331). That EFS is worse in patients on Medicaid compared with privately insured individuals following alloHCT for SCD provides the rationale for research to better understand the mechanisms by which insurance status impacts alloHCT outcomes among patients with SCD.

Opioid Use in Adults With Sickle Cell Disease Hospitalized During Vaso-Occlusive Crisis: A Systematic Review

Background

While pain is the hallmark of sickle cell disease (SCD), healthcare personnel are often ill-equipped to adequately treat patients who present in vaso-occlusive crisis (VOC). Although symptom severity varies from individual to individual, SCD is characterized by intervallic pain as a result of oxygen deprivation in tissues and organs. Regardless of pain severity, SCD patients are often viewed as drug seekers by healthcare personnel who have concerns regarding patients’ dependence on opioids which may lead to addiction. The objective was to assess the types and amount of opioids used to treat VOC in comparison to Centers for Disease Control opioid prescription guidelines.

Methods

Literature search was conducted using CINAHL, PubMed, the Cochrane Library, Web of Science and hand search. Data were analyzed from 1999 to 2018. Randomized trials, observational, and case studies involved hospitalized adults with SCD who were prescribed opioids to treat VOC. Quality assessment was conducted using Downs and Black checklist. Meta-analysis was not conducted.

Results

Five studies were conducted in the USA, Arabia and the Netherlands, and the USA and Canada were included. Participants were treated with either morphine or morphine milligram equivalent (MME). No study used the same method of opioid administration.

Conclusions

Patients with SCD who are hospitalized secondary to VOC mostly received opioids for pain well within the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention prescription guidelines. No uniform method exists. Additional research is warranted.

Bright IDEAS problem-solving skills training for caregivers of children with sickle cell disease: A two-site pilot feasibility trial

BACKGROUND

Bright IDEAS problem-solving skills training (BI) is an evidence-based behavioral intervention that has been utilized extensively with caregivers of children recently diagnosed with cancer. Considerable evidence has shown that BI is acceptable to caregivers of children recently diagnosed with cancer, and improvements in problem-solving skills mediate reduced symptoms of distress.

PROCEDURES

A slightly modified version of BI was offered to caregivers of children with sickle cell disease (SCD) in a two-site pilot feasibility trial. BI was modified to reduce barriers to care, logistical challenges, and stigma associated with receiving behavioral health services. Our goal was to establish high rates of recruitment and retention among caregivers of children with SCD. Recruitment was acceptable (94%; N = 72) and retention reasonable (49%) across both sites with 35 caregivers successfully completing the BI program.

RESULTS

Results showed that caregivers of children with SCD, who successfully completed the BI program reported, significant improvements in problem-solving skills immediately and three months after intervention completion. Interestingly, initial levels of distress were low with few caregivers reporting clinically significant levels of distress; distress remained low over time.

CONCLUSIONS

Findings are discussed in the context of psychosocial screening and resilience of caregivers of children with SCD.

Factors Influencing Motivation and Engagement in Mobile Health Among Patients With Sickle Cell Disease in Low-Prevalence, High-Income Countries: Qualitative Exploration of Patient Requirements

Background

Sickle cell disease (SCD) is a hematological genetic disease affecting over 25 million people worldwide. The main clinical manifestations of SCD, hemolytic anemia and vaso-occlusion, lead to chronic pain and organ damages. With recent advances in childhood care, high-income countries have seen SCD drift from a disease of early childhood mortality to a neglected chronic disease of adulthood. In particular, coordinated, preventive, and comprehensive care for adults with SCD is largely underresourced. Consequently, patients are left to self-manage. Mobile health (mHealth) apps for chronic disease self-management are now flooding app stores. However, evidence remains unclear about their effectiveness, and the literature indicates low user engagement and poor adoption rates. Finally, few apps have been developed for people with SCD and none encompasses their numerous and complex self-care management needs.

Objective

This study aimed to identify factors that may influence the long-term engagement and user adoption of mHealth among the particularly isolated community of adult patients with SCD living in low-prevalence, high-income countries.

Methods

Semistructured interviews were conducted. Interviews were audiotaped, transcribed verbatim, and analyzed using thematic analysis. Analysis was informed by the Braun and Clarke framework and mapped to the COM-B model (capability, opportunity, motivation, and behavior). Results were classified into high-level functional requirements (FRs) and nonfunctional requirements (NFRs) to guide the development of future mHealth interventions.

Results

Overall, 6 males and 4 females were interviewed (aged between 21 and 55 years). Thirty FRs and 31 NFRs were extracted from the analysis. Most participants (8/10) were concerned about increasing their physical capabilities being able to stop pain symptoms quickly. Regarding the psychological capability aspects, all interviewees desired to receive trustworthy feedback on their self-care management practices. About their physical opportunities, most (7/10) expressed a strong desire to receive alerts when they would reach their own physiological limitations (ie, during physical activity). Concerning social opportunity, most (9/10) reported wanting to learn about the self-care practices of other patients. Relating to motivational aspects, many interviewees (6/10) stressed their need to learn how to avoid the symptoms and live as normal a life as possible. Finally, NFRs included inconspicuousness and customizability of user experience, automatic data collection, data shareability, and data privacy.

Conclusions

Our findings suggest that motivation and engagement with mHealth technologies among the studied population could be increased by providing features that clearly benefit them. Self-management support and self-care decision aid are patients’ major demands. As the complexity of SCD self-management requires a high cognitive load, pervasive health technologies such as wearable sensors, implantable devices, or inconspicuous conversational user interfaces should be explored to ease it. Some of the required technologies already exist but must be integrated, bundled, adapted, or improved to meet the specific needs of people with SCD.

Gender-Related Differences in Sickle Cell Disease in a Pediatric Cohort: A Single-Center Retrospective Study

Sickle cell disease (SCD) is one of the most common monogenic disease worldwide. The incidence of SCD is not strictly gender-related as it is transmitted as an autosomal recessive disorder. In particular, the gender-related differences in pediatric SCD are not well-characterized. To address this matter, we retrospectively analyzed the clinical records of 39 pediatric patients with a diagnosis of SCD (hemoglobin SS genotype) focusing on gender differences analyzing various aspects of the disease and comprising both acute symptoms and late complications. We found various gender-related differences in our pediatric population. In particular, pain crisis frequency per year was significantly increased in the male population with a mean number of crisis per year of 1.6 vs. 0.6 in the female population (p = 0.04). Also, severe complications (both infectious and cardiovascular) were mostly found in the male population. SCD-related late cardiac complications were observed mainly in the male population (p = 0.04). Our data support the hypothesis that gender could play a role in determining the clinical course of SCD, even though further studies are needed to assess the exact weight of its influence over the course of the disease. The higher morbidity in males is a well-known feature of SCD in adults and these findings have been only partially studied in the pediatric population. These differences have, in adults, been attributed to hormonal variations found in the two sexes after puberty. In a pediatric population, other factors must be responsible for these discrepancies. These findings suggest that gender could be a valuable factor in the risk stratification of these patients at diagnosis, and possibly guide therapeutic decisions, with the final aim of personalizing the therapy.

Novel insights in the management of sickle cell disease in childhood

Sickle cell disease (SCD) is a life-threatening genetic disorder characterized by chronic hemolytic anemia, vascular injury and multiorgan dysfunctions. Over the last few decades, there have been significant improvements in SCD management in Western countries, especially in pediatric population. An early onset of prophylaxis with Penicillin and a proper treatment of the infections have increased the overall survival in childhood. Nevertheless, management of painful episodes and prevention of organ damage are still challenging and more efforts are needed to better understand the mechanisms behind the development of chronic organ damages. Hydroxyurea (Hydroxycarbamide, HU), the only medication approved as a disease-modifying agent by the United States Food and Drug Administration and the European Medicines Agency, is usually under-used, especially in developing countries. Currently, hematopoietic stem-cell transplantation is considered the only curative option, although its use is limited by lack of donors and transplant-related toxicity. SCD symptoms are similar in children and adults, but complications and systemic organ damages increase with age, leading to early mortality worldwide. Experts in comprehensive care of young patients with SCD, especially those approaching the transition age to adulthood, are missing, leading people to rely on urgent care, increasing health care utilization costs and inappropriate treatments. It would be important to establish programs of comprehensive healthcare for patients with SCD from birth to adulthood, to improve their quality and expectancy of life.

Treosulfan-based conditioning regimen for allogeneic haematopoietic stem cell transplantation in children with sickle cell disease

Although allogeneic haematopoietic stem cell transplantation (HSCT) still represents the only consolidated possibility of cure for sickle cell disease (SCD) patients, its use has been limited by the risk of morbidity and mortality associated with conventional myeloablative therapy. The introduction of treosulfan to replace busulfan in conditioning regimens has recently been explored by virtue of its lower toxicity profile. We report our experience with a treosulfan/thiotepa/fludarabine conditioning for human leucocyte antigen (HLA)-matched sibling or unrelated donor-HSCT in 15 children with SCD, and compare patient outcomes with those of a historical cohort (15 patients) given a busulfan-based regimen. Engraftment was achieved in 28 out of 30 patients (93%), with one case of graft failure in either group. The conditioning regimen was well tolerated in both groups, with no cases of grade III-IV regimen-related toxicity. The 7-year overall survival (OS) and disease-free survival (DFS) for the whole cohort were 100% and 93%, respectively, with a 93% DFS in both busulfan and treosulfan groups. No SCD-related adverse events occurred after engraftment in patients with complete or mixed donor chimerism. This retrospective analysis suggests that a treosulfan-based conditioning regimen is able to ensure engraftment with excellent OS/DFS and low regimen-related toxicity in patients with SCD.