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Summary: Depressive symptoms are prevalent in individuals living with sickle cell disease (SCD) and may exacerbate pain. This study examines whether higher depressive symptoms are associated with pain outcomes, pain catastrophizing, interference and potential opioid misuse in a large cohort of adults with SCD. The study utilized baseline data from the 'CaRISMA' trial, which involved 357 SCD adults with chronic pain. Baseline assessments included pain intensity, daily mood, the Patient Health Questionnaire (PHQ), the Generalized Anxiety Disorders scale, PROMIS Pain Interference, Pain Catastrophizing Scale, the Adult Sickle Cell Quality of Life Measurement Information System and the Current Opioid Misuse Measure. Participants were categorized into 'high' or 'low' depression groups based on PHQ scores. Higher depressive symptoms were significantly associated with increased daily pain intensity, negative daily mood, higher pain interference and catastrophizing, poorer quality of life and a higher likelihood of opioid misuse (all p < 0.01). SCD patients with more severe depressive symptoms experienced poorer pain outcomes, lower quality of life and increased risk of opioid misuse. Longitudinal data from this trial will determine whether addressing depressive symptoms may potentially reduce pain frequency and severity in SCD. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Summary: Sickle cell disease (SCD) is an inherited red blood cell disorder associated with frequent painful events and organ damage. Hydroxyurea (HU) is the recommended evidence‐based treatment of SCD. However, among patients eligible for HU, prescription rates are low. Utilizing a scoping review approach, we summarized and synthesized relevant findings regarding provider barriers and facilitators to the prescription of HU in youth and adults with SCD and provided suggestions for future implementation strategies to improve prescription rates. Relevant databases were searched using specified search terms. Articles reporting provider barriers and/or facilitators to prescribing HU were included. A total of 10 studies met the inclusion criteria. Common barriers to the prescription of HU identified by providers included: doubts around patients' adherence to HU and their engaging in required testing, concerns about side effects, lack of knowledge, cost and patient concerns about side effects. Facilitators to the prescription of HU included beliefs in the effectiveness of HU, provider demographics and knowledge. Findings suggest significant provider biases exist, particularly in the form of negative perceptions towards patients' ability to adhere to taking HU and engaging in the required follow‐up. Improving provider knowledge and attitudes towards HU and SCD may help improve low prescription rates. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Control haemoglobinopathy blood safety project Keywords: sickle cell disease; thalassaemia; vaccines; iron overload; hepatitis EN sickle cell disease thalassaemia vaccines iron overload hepatitis e160 e164 5 11/30/21 20211201 NES 211201 Non-concordance with preventive recommendations is common among patients with chronic conditions, including sickle cell disease (SCD) and transfusion-dependent thalassaemia (TDT).1,2 Iron overload is common among chronically transfused patients with SCD and TDT leading to increased morbidity, mortality and cost of care, especially as they live longer.3-5 The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) Advisory Committee on Immunization Practices (ACIP) recommendations support completion of hepatitis A (HepA) and hepatitis B (HepB) vaccinations, including SCD and TDT.6,7 Cardiac iron overload is the leading cause of mortality in TDT,8 while it is rare in SCD.9 Guidelines recommend liver iron overload assessment every 1-2 years for patients with SCD receiving chronic transfusions.10,11 The recommendation for TDT is annual assessment of liver and cardiac iron concentration.3,8 However, there are limited data on concordance with these recommendations. Child/adolescent patients with TDT who were concordant with HepA vaccination recommendations were concordant with the other two preventive service recommendations (Fig 1B). [Extracted from the article]