Sickle Cell

Background: Some people with the same disorder on a genetic level have more complications than others. Researchers want to look for a link between the PKLR gene and sickle cell disease (SCD) symptoms. The PKLR gene helps create a protein, called pyruvate kinase that is essential in normal functioning of the red blood cell. Differences in the PKLR gene, called genetic variants, may cause some changes in the pyruvate kinase protein and other proteins, that can affect functioning of the red blood cell adding to the effect of SCD. Researchers can study these differences by looking at DNA (the material that determines inherited characteristics). Objective: To study how the PKLR gene affects sickle cell disease. Eligibility: Adults ages 18-80 of African descent. They may have sickle cell disease or not. They must not have had a transfusion recently or have a known deficiency of pyruvate kinase. They cannot be pregnant. Design: Participants will be screened with questions. Participants will have blood drawn by needle in an arm vein. The blood will be genetically tested. Not much is known about how genes affect SCD, so the test results will not be shared with participants or their doctors. ...

The goal of this interventional study is to learn about the impact of an intervention for health care providers that teaches individuation and perspective-taking (IPT) skills to enhance patient-centered communication in pediatric sickle cell disease (SCD). The main question it aims to answer is: Does an intervention that teaches individuation and perspective-taking (IPT) skills to pediatric sickle cell disease (SCD) health care providers (HCPs) enhance patient-centered communication? Researchers will compare the IPT intervention to a control group who will receive education about SCD pain management to see if the IPT intervention improves patient-centered communication. Participants will complete baseline surveys and then be randomly assigned into the intervention or control group. After completing their assigned session (IPT training or education), they will be asked to complete the same surveys as completed at baseline.

The goal of this study is to compare pain levels in individuals with Sickle Cell Disease while following the Mediterranean Diet to pain levels while following their usual diet.

Sickle cell disease is a chronic disease characterized by multiple vaso-occlusive complications. The basic treatment for patients with a vaso-occlusive crisis (VOC) is based on adequate hydration, oxygen therapy and pain control. Loco Regional Anesthesia (LRA) is one of the major treatments in resuscitation anesthesia for both anesthesia and analgesia. LRA allows effective and almost immediate pain control by blocking nerve afferents in a given area. LRA could decrease the inflammatory response during crises and accelerate resolution of the crisis.