Pulmonary embolism in sickle cell disease: a case-control study.

Area of Science:

• Hematology
• Pulmonology
• Critical Care Medicine

Background:

• Pulmonary embolism (PE) is a significant cause of mortality in hospitalized individuals.
• The prevalence of PE in sickle cell disease (SCD) and its association with disease severity or hypercoagulability remain unclear.

Purpose of the Study:

• To determine the incidence and prevalence of inpatient PE in SCD patients compared to non-SCD patients.
• To investigate the relationship between PE, disease severity, and mortality in SCD.

Main Methods:

• Utilized Pennsylvania Health Care Cost Containment Council (PHC4) discharge data (2001-2006) to estimate PE incidence and prevalence.
• Conducted a case-control study using University of Pittsburgh Medical Archival Records System (MARS) data to assess PE risk factors.

Main Results:

• Inpatient PE incidence was higher in the SCD population than the non-SCD population.
• SCD patients with PE were older, had longer hospital stays, greater illness severity, and higher mortality.
• Chest computed tomography (CT) utilization was lower in SCD patients with PE compared to non-SCD patients with PE.

Conclusions:

• The incidence of PE is elevated in hospitalized SCD patients.
• Lower chest CT utilization in SCD patients suggests potential underdiagnosis of PE.
• Further research is needed to understand PE risk factors and improve diagnostic strategies in SCD.