Transfusions benefit adults with sickle cell disease

Likewise, the median hospital admission rate decreased from 1.7 per 100 days (range, 0.05-5.8) pre-transfusion to 1.3 per 100 days (range, 0.2-3.2) post-transfusion (P=0.004).

Fifteen patients (88.2%) had reduced hospital admissions after chronic transfusion, and there was a 20.3% reduction in hospital admissions overall.

Dr Karafin noted that this study had a number of limitations, including a small number of patients, its retrospective nature, and the fact that it was conducted at a comprehensive SCD clinic.

“However, limitations aside, we found significant evidence to support that the findings observed in children seem to be similar in the adult population,” he said.

Namely, chronic transfusions can prevent serious pain episodes in adults with SCD who have failed treatment with hydroxyurea.