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Depression in sickle cell disease

Syed Parwez Hasan1, Shahzad Hashmi, Mohammed Alhassen

  • 1Center for Sickle Cell Disease, Howard University Hospital, Washington, DC 20059, USA. phasan@hotmail.com

Journal of the National Medical Association
|August 13, 2003
PubMed

Insights

Depressive symptoms are prevalent in sickle cell disease patients, with 44% experiencing mild to severe depression. Factors like low income, female sex, and frequent crises contribute to higher depression rates, necessitating treatment to improve quality of life.

Area of Science:

  • Hematology
  • Psychiatry
  • Public Health

Background:

  • Sickle cell disease (SCD) is a chronic condition associated with significant health burdens.
  • Depressive symptoms are frequently observed in patients with chronic illnesses, impacting quality of life.
  • Understanding the prevalence and correlates of depression in SCD is crucial for effective management.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To determine the prevalence of depressive symptoms in sickle cell patients.
  • To identify demographic, disease severity, and healthcare utilization factors associated with depressive symptoms.
  • To examine these associations in patients stable for at least one month.

Main Methods:

  • A convenience sample of 50 sickle cell patients (27 men, 23 women) was recruited from a sickle cell clinic.
  • Depression was assessed using the Beck Depression Inventory (BDI) cut-off score.
  • Data on demographics, disease severity, and healthcare use were collected and analyzed.

Main Results:

  • 44% of sickle cell patients scored in the mild to severe range of depression (BDI > 20).
  • Depressed patients had higher rates of emergency room visits and hospitalizations for vaso-occlusive crises.
  • Factors associated with depression included low income, lower education, female sex, multiple blood transfusions, poor pain control, inadequate social support, hydroxyurea use, and frequent crises.

Conclusions:

  • The prevalence of depressive symptoms in sickle cell patients is high, exceeding that of the general African American population.
  • Findings align with previous research on depression in adults with sickle cell disease.
  • Treating depression is recommended to enhance quality of life and potentially improve disease outcomes in sickle cell patients.
Abstract

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