Sickle Cell Disease

In the US, approximately 100 000 people have sickle cell disease, a chronic condition characterized by hemolytic anemia, acute and chronic pain, increased rates of stroke and nephropathy, and an average lifespan that is 20 years less than that of the general population. In this podcast, JAMA Deputy Editor Mary McDermott, MD, interviews review article author Patricia Kavanaugh, MD, on the diagnosis and management of sickle cell disease. Discussion includes a summary of 3 new therapies for sickle cell disease and some of the social, structural, and cultural challenges encountered by patients with sickle cell disease. Related Content: Sickle Cell Disease