Facts you need to know about sickle cell disease

ROCKLIN, Md. — Friday is World Sickle Cell Awareness Day, an important time to learn the facts about sickle cell disease including signs and symptoms, as well as treatment options.

Sickle cell disease is a serious disorder in which an abnormal gene causes the body to make sickle-shaped red blood cells and results in lifetime anemia. Normal disc-shaped blood cells flow smoothly through blood vessels, but sickle-shaped cells tend to reduce the flow of blood inside the blood vessels. Damage from these sickle cells can cause pain, can injure the spleen, increase the risk of pneumonia and other lung complications, and lead to bone and other infections. Sickle cell disease affects millions of people around the world, including both adults and children.

Here are five things you need to know about sickle cell disease:

In the United States, sickle cell disease primarily affects African Americans

Sickle cell disease occurs worldwide in people of diverse racial and ethnic origins. The disease is most common in people whose families originate from Africa, South or Central America (especially Panama), Caribbean islands, Mediterranean countries (such as Turkey, Greece, and Italy), India, and Saudi Arabia. In the United States, it’s estimated that sickle cell disease affects 90,000 to 100,000 people, mainly African Americans, and occurs in about 1 out of every 365 African American births.

Sickle cell disease and sickle cell trait are inherited

About 1 in 13 African Americans are born with sickle cell trait, which occurs when a person inherits one copy of the sickle globin gene from one parent and a normal gene from the other. People who have sickle cell disease inherit two copies of the sickle globin gene—one from each parent. Since people with sickle cell trait don’t have disease symptoms, many people who are carriers are not aware that they have the trait. If sickle cell disease or sickle cell trait runs in your family, you might consider genetic counseling before planning a family.

Much progress has been made in treating sickle cell disease

At present, there is no widely-available cure for sickle cell disease although breakthroughs in sickle cell disease research have helped patients live longer. Until the 1970s, the life expectancy in the United States for individuals with sickle cell disease was about 14 years. Today, many individuals live into their 40s, 50s, and longer. Some people have few symptoms, but some live with chronic pain, anemia, lung disease, leg ulcers, and other complications.

Research has been a critical factor in the fight against sickle cell disease

The National Heart, Lung, and Blood Institute (NHLBI), part of the National Institutes of Health, is supporting research on better treatments to ease the burden of sickle cell disease for those affected. Notable successes due to research include the use of antibiotics to prevent and treat infections (which have reduced childhood deaths from the disease by more than 90 percent), as well as blood screening tests on newborns which are now performed in all U.S. states.

Current research finds that bone marrow transplants can cure sickle cell disease in some patients.

Many sickle cell disease patients can stay healthy if they manage their disease

With good health care, many people who have sickle cell anemia can live productive lives. For those living with sickle cell disease, it is important to:

Find a good doctor and get regular checkups. Often, the best choice is a hematologist (a doctor who specializes in blood diseases) working with a team of specialists.

Maintain a healthy lifestyle. Stay active, drink 8-10 glasses of water daily, eat a well-balanced diet, and aim for 7-8 hours of sleep each night.

Prevent infections and illness. Stay current on vaccinations, including flu shots, and wash hands often. The drug hydroxyurea has helped some patients reduce their risk of infections.

Look for clinical studies. New research is happening all the time, and by participating in clinical studies, you can help advance science to find better medicines and treatments for the community. Information on clinical trials can be found at www.clinicaltrials.gov by searching under “sickle cell.”

Get support from your family or community. Stay updated on advances in sickle cell disease management. Support groups and community-based organizations can be good options to help you get information and assistance.

For information on sickle cell disease, including fact sheets, recent research findings and more, go to NHLBI Sickle Cell Resources and follow the latest on SCD at NHLBI on Twitter and on Facebook.