Related Experiment Videos
Psychological complications in sickle cell disease
1Department of Haematology, Brent Sickle Cell and Thalassaemia Centre, Imperial College London, Central Middlesex Hospital, London, UK. k.anie@imperial.ac.uk
British Journal of Haematology
|June 15, 2005
Summary
Patients with sickle cell disease (SCD) experience psychological issues like poor coping, reduced quality of life, and neurocognitive impairment. Psychological interventions are recommended to improve patient well-being.
Area of Science:
- Hematology
- Psychology
- Neuroscience
Background:
- Sickle cell disease (SCD) presents significant psychological challenges throughout a patient's life.
- Hematologists managing SCD patients need to be aware of these common psychological complications.
Purpose of the Study:
- To review evidence on psychological complications in sickle cell disease patients.
- To identify common issues in coping, quality of life, and neuropsychology across the lifespan.
Main Methods:
- Conducted electronic searches of medical and psychological databases.
- Focused on three key areas: psychological coping, quality of life, and neuropsychology.
Main Results:
- Identified psychological complications in both children and adults with SCD.
- Complications include maladaptive pain coping, reduced quality of life (daily functioning, anxiety, depression), and neurocognitive impairment.
- Variations in study design and consistency necessitate cautious interpretation of findings.
Conclusions:
- Psychological complications are prevalent in sickle cell disease patients.
- Interventional studies, particularly in neuropsychology, are lacking.
- Recommended interventions include patient education, cognitive behavioral therapy, and special educational support to enhance quality of life.