Trusted Resources: Evidence & Education

Scientific literature and patient education texts

Back to Evidence & Education / Patient Education

Sickle Cell Disease

key information

source: Pfizer Inc.

year: N/A

summary/abstract:

Sickle cell disease, a rare hematological disease, results in misshapen red blood cells that can block the flow of blood through the body (called vaso-occlusive crises), causing intense pain, as well as problems such as stroke, acute chest syndrome, joint damage, kidney issues, occasionally even heart problems.

Sickle cell disease is a group of inherited red blood cell disorders that causes the cells to be crescent (“sickle”) rather than disk shaped. It is traced to abnormalities in hemoglobin, the protein that carries oxygen throughout the body.

Patients with the disorder are now living longer than they did in the past, thanks to a better understanding of how the disease works and earlier diagnosis and treatment. Creating a plan for managing symptoms of the disease is critical in improving patient outcome and requires close collaboration with healthcare providers. This collaboration is especially important when patients make the transition from seeing a pediatrician to seeing a doctor who treats adults.

read more

To improve your experience on this site, we use cookies. This includes cookies essential for the basic functioning of our website, cookies for analytics purposes, and cookies enabling us to personalize site content. By clicking on 'Accept' or any content on this site, you agree that cookies can be placed. You may adjust your browser's cookie settings to suit your preferences. More Information

The cookie settings on this website are set to "allow cookies" to give you the best browsing experience possible. If you continue to use this website without changing your cookie settings or you click "Accept" below then you are consenting to this.

Close

To improve your experience on this site, we use cookies. This includes cookies essential for the basic functioning of our website, cookies for analytics purposes, and cookies enabling us to personalize site content. By clicking on 'Accept' or any content on this site, you agree that cookies can be placed. You may adjust your browser's cookie settings to suit your preferences. More Information

The cookie settings on this website are set to "allow cookies" to give you the best browsing experience possible. If you continue to use this website without changing your cookie settings or you click "Accept" below then you are consenting to this.

Close