Premium
Treatment of Sickle Cell Pain
Author(s) -
Marlowe Karen F.,
Chicella Michael F.
Publication year - 2002
Publication title -
pharmacotherapy: the journal of human pharmacology and drug therapy
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 1.227
H-Index - 109
eISSN - 1875-9114
pISSN - 0277-0008
DOI - 10.1592/phco.22.7.484.33675
Subject(s) - medicine , disease , pathophysiology , chronic pain , sickle cell anemia , opiate , pharmacotherapy , intervention (counseling) , addiction , intensive care medicine , physical therapy , psychiatry , receptor
Sickle cell disease affects 70,000 Americans who experience an average of 0.8 painful episodes each year. The pathophysiology of sickle cell pain is not completely understood. The disease is characterized by both acute and chronic pain syndromes. Patients with sickle cell pain often encounter barriers to receiving appropriate care, including lack of continuity of care and perceived opiate addiction. Studies describing pharmacotherapy for sickle cell pain have been primarily retrospective and uncontrolled. In analyzing the available literature regarding pathophysiology, assessment, and treatment of sickle cell pain, we found a need for increased practitioner education and intervention to improve the level of care provided to patients with this disease.