Psychological therapies for sickle cell disease and pain.

Background: Sickle cell disease comprises a group of genetic blood disorders. It occurs when the sickle haemoglobin gene is inherited from both parents. The effects of the condition are: varying degrees of anaemia which, if severe, can reduce mobility; a tendency for small blood capillaries to become blocked causing pain in muscle and bone commonly known as 'crises'; damage to major organs such as the spleen, liver, kidneys, and lungs; and increased vulnerability to severe infections.

Psychosocial impact of sickle cell disorder: perspectives from a Nigerian setting.

Sickle Cell Disorder is a global health problem with psychosocial implications. Nigeria has the largest population of people with sickle cell disorder, with about 150,000 births annually. This study explored the psychosocial impact of sickle cell disorder in 408 adolescents and adults attending three hospitals in Lagos, Nigeria.

Multi-site study of transition in adolescents with sickle cell disease in the United Kingdom and the United States.

Adolescents with sickle cell disease may have problems of adjustment during the phase of transition from pediatric to adult health care. It is important to identify factors that may help in the development of appropriate interventions. We were interested in possible similarities, in terms of adjustment to transition in two countries where health service provision is quite different.

Psychological complications in sickle cell disease.

This review examines the evidence for some of the common psychological complications found across the life span of patients with sickle cell disease (SCD), which are likely to be encountered by haematologists responsible for their medical management. Electronic searches of medical and psychological databases were conducted with a focus on three main areas: psychological coping, quality of life and neuropsychology. Psychological complications were identified in both children and adults with SCD, and included inappropriate pain coping strategies; reduced quality of life owing to restrictions in daily functioning, anxiety and depression; and neurocognitive impairment.

Sickle cell disease: Pain, coping and quality of life in a study of adults in the UK.

OBJECTIVE: To examine the relationship between pain, coping, and quality of life in adult patients with sickle cell disease (SCD) in the UK, and to assess the influence of these factors on the utilization of health services. DESIGN: This cross-sectional study involved 96 adult patients with SCD attending hospitals in London. METHOD: Interview and questionnaire study involving standard measures of pain, health service utilization, coping responses (measured with the Coping Strategies Questionnaire - revised for SCD), and quality of life (measured by the SF36).

Psychological therapies for sickle cell disease and pain.

Background: Sickle cell disease comprises a group of genetic blood disorders, and occurs when the sickle haemoglobin gene is inherited from both parents. The effects of the condition are: varying degrees of anaemia which if severe reduce the capacity for mobility; predisposition to obstruction of small blood capillaries causing pain in muscle and bone known as "crises"; damage to major organs such as the spleen, liver, kidneys, and lungs; and increased vulnerability to severe infections. There are both medical and non-medical complications, and treatment is usually symptomatic and palliative in nature.

Coping and health service utilisation in a UK study of paediatric sickle cell pain.

Aims: To assess sickle cell pain and coping in children and to examine the relation between these factors and the utilisation of health services.

Methods: Cross sectional study involving 67 children with sickle cell disease attending three London hospitals. Interviews and questionnaires involved measures of pain, health service utilisation, and coping responses (measured with the Coping Strategies Questionnaire (CSQ), revised for children with sickle cell disease).

Psychological therapies for thalassaemia.

Background: Thalassaemia is a group of genetic blood disorders characterised by the absence or reduction in the production of haemoglobin. Severity is variable from less severe anaemia, through thalassaemia intermedia, to profound severe anaemia (thalassaemia major). In thalassaemia major other complications include growth retardation, bone deformation, and enlarged spleen.

Psychological therapies for sickle cell disease and pain.

Background: Sickle cell disease comprises of a group of genetic blood disorders, and occurs when the sickle cell haemoglobin gene is inherited from both parents. The effects of the condition are: varying degrees of anaemia which if severe reduce the capacity for mobility; predisposition to obstruction of small blood capillaries causing pain in muscle and bone known as "crises"; damage to major organs such as the spleen, liver, kidneys, and lungs; and increased vulnerability to severe infections. There are both medical and non-medical complications, and treatment is usually symptomatic and palliative in nature.

Pain, quality of life, and coping in sickle cell disease.

This study examined the frequency and severity of sickle related pain, its impact on quality of life, and methods of coping for 25 children with sickle cell disease, aged 6-16 years. Subjects were matched with non-affected peers and asked to complete the Central Middlesex Hospital Children's Health Diary for four weeks. Results indicated that sickle pain occurred on average one in 14 days, and total summary pain scores indicated significantly greater pain than for controls.

Counselling for prenatal diagnosis of sickle cell disease and beta thalassaemia major: a four year experience.

A non-directive programme of prenatal counselling was used during a four year period. Forty-three couples at risk for having a baby with a haemoglobinopathy were identified. Prenatal diagnosis was offered in 19 pregnancies to 14 couples at risk of having a baby with sickle cell anaemia and in two pregnancies in two couples at risk of a baby with beta thalassaemia major, who presented before the 18th week of pregnancy.