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A brief review of the pathophysiology, associated pain, and psychosocial issues in sickle cell disease.

Publication ,  Journal Article
Edwards, CL; Scales, MT; Loughlin, C; Bennett, GG; Harris-Peterson, S; De Castro, LM; Whitworth, E; Abrams, M; Feliu, M; Johnson, S; Wood, M ...
Published in: Int J Behav Med
2005

Sickle cell disease (SCD) is the most common genetic disorder of the blood. The disease produces significantly abnormal hemoglobin (Hgb) molecules in red blood cells (RBCs). The sickling of RBCs occurs when partially or totally deoxygenated Hgb molecules distort their normal disk shape, producing stiff, sticky, sickle-shaped cells that obstruct small blood vessels and produce vasoocclusion as well as the disruption of oxygen to body tissues. Because tissue damage can occur at multiple foci, patients with SCD are at risk for other medical complications including, but not limited to, delayed growth and sexual maturation; acute and chronic pulmonary dysfunction; stroke; aseptic necrosis of the hip, shoulders, or both; sickle cell retinopathy; dermal ulcers; and severe chronic pain. The chronicity of the illness combined with frequent hospitalizations for pain and other medical management can contribute significantly to impaired psychosocial functioning, altered intra- and interpersonal relationships, and reduced quality of life. Unlike previous qualitative reviews of SCD, this article describes the relevant clinical and research data on the relation between psychosocial functioning and SCD in adult and child populations. The authors discuss the significant role of psychosocial issues in the trajectory and management of the disease and conclude that understanding the pathophysiology of SCD without thoroughly understanding the equally important psychosocial influences is misunderstanding SCD.

Duke Scholars

Published In

Int J Behav Med

DOI

ISSN

1070-5503

Publication Date

2005

Volume

12

Issue

3

Start / End Page

171 / 179

Location

England

Related Subject Headings

  • Social Support
  • Risk Factors
  • Quality of Life
  • Public Health
  • Peer Group
  • Pain
  • Mental Health
  • Interpersonal Relations
  • Humans
  • Family Relations
 

Citation

APA
Chicago
ICMJE
MLA
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Edwards, C. L., Scales, M. T., Loughlin, C., Bennett, G. G., Harris-Peterson, S., De Castro, L. M., … Killough, A. (2005). A brief review of the pathophysiology, associated pain, and psychosocial issues in sickle cell disease. Int J Behav Med, 12(3), 171–179. https://doi.org/10.1207/s15327558ijbm1203_6
Edwards, Christopher L., Mischca T. Scales, Charles Loughlin, Gary G. Bennett, Shani Harris-Peterson, Laura M. De Castro, Elaine Whitworth, et al. “A brief review of the pathophysiology, associated pain, and psychosocial issues in sickle cell disease.Int J Behav Med 12, no. 3 (2005): 171–79. https://doi.org/10.1207/s15327558ijbm1203_6.
Edwards CL, Scales MT, Loughlin C, Bennett GG, Harris-Peterson S, De Castro LM, et al. A brief review of the pathophysiology, associated pain, and psychosocial issues in sickle cell disease. Int J Behav Med. 2005;12(3):171–9.
Edwards, Christopher L., et al. “A brief review of the pathophysiology, associated pain, and psychosocial issues in sickle cell disease.Int J Behav Med, vol. 12, no. 3, 2005, pp. 171–79. Pubmed, doi:10.1207/s15327558ijbm1203_6.
Edwards CL, Scales MT, Loughlin C, Bennett GG, Harris-Peterson S, De Castro LM, Whitworth E, Abrams M, Feliu M, Johnson S, Wood M, Harrison O, Killough A. A brief review of the pathophysiology, associated pain, and psychosocial issues in sickle cell disease. Int J Behav Med. 2005;12(3):171–179.
Journal cover image

Published In

Int J Behav Med

DOI

ISSN

1070-5503

Publication Date

2005

Volume

12

Issue

3

Start / End Page

171 / 179

Location

England

Related Subject Headings

  • Social Support
  • Risk Factors
  • Quality of Life
  • Public Health
  • Peer Group
  • Pain
  • Mental Health
  • Interpersonal Relations
  • Humans
  • Family Relations