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Are there phases to the vaso-occlusive painful episode in sickle cell disease?

Eufemia Jacob1, Judith E Beyer, Christine Miaskowski

  • 1Department of Hematology/Oncology, Texas Children's Cancer Center, Houston, Texas 77030, USA.

Journal of Pain and Symptom Management
|April 29, 2005
PubMed

Insights

This study explored the pain experience in children hospitalized with sickle cell disease (SCD) vaso-occlusive episodes. Findings suggest pain may evolve in distinct phases, similar to adults.

Area of Science:

  • Pediatric Hematology
  • Pain Medicine
  • Sickle Cell Disease Research

Background:

  • Sickle cell disease (SCD) frequently causes painful vaso-occlusive episodes.
  • Understanding the evolution of these painful episodes in children is crucial for effective management.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To describe the pain experience of hospitalized children with SCD during vaso-occlusive episodes.
  • To investigate evidence supporting phased progression of painful episodes in pediatric SCD patients.

Main Methods:

  • Children with SCD hospitalized for painful episodes were interviewed about their pain.
  • Pain experience, signs, and symptoms were documented from admission to discharge.
  • Children were observed for signs and symptoms associated with vaso-occlusive episodes.

Main Results:

  • The study identified patterns in pain experience, signs, and symptoms during hospitalization.
  • Findings provide preliminary evidence supporting the existence of distinct phases in vaso-occlusive episodes.
  • Observed phases (evolving, inflammatory, resolving) align with previous descriptions in adults and children.

Conclusions:

  • The pain experience of pediatric sickle cell disease patients during vaso-occlusive episodes may occur in identifiable phases.
  • Further research is warranted to validate these phased descriptions for improved clinical care.

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