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Updated: Jun 8, 2025
A Precision Medicine Tool for Measurement and Monitoring of Hemoglobin S in Sickle Cell Disease Patients Receiving Transfusion Therapy
Length of Stay, Readmission Rates, and Mortality Are Similar Between Hospitalized Individuals With Sickle Cell
Karen A Clarke1, Mohamad Moussa1, Mary Ann Kirkconnell Hall1
1Division of Hospital Medicine, Emory University School of Medicine, Atlanta, USA.
Insights
COVID-19 did not significantly impact clinical outcomes for sickle cell disease patients. Hospitalization length, ICU care, readmissions, and mortality rates were similar between patients with and without COVID-19.
Area of Science:
- Hematology
- Infectious Diseases
- Public Health
Background:
- Sickle cell disease (SCD) patients have a baseline hypercoagulable state.
- COVID-19 is associated with coagulopathies and other complications.
- The combined risks for SCD patients with COVID-19 are not well-defined.
Purpose of the Study:
- To clarify the impact of COVID-19 on clinical outcomes in hospitalized sickle cell disease patients.
- To compare outcomes between SCD patients with and without COVID-19.
Main Methods:
- Retrospective chart review of hospitalized SCD patients from March 2020 to December 2021.
- Comparison of two groups: Group 1 (no COVID-19, n=95) and Group 2 (COVID-19, n=73).
- Analysis of clinical outcomes including length of stay, ICU admission, 30-day readmission, and mortality.
Main Results:
- Groups were similar in demographics, comorbidities, and treatments (hydroxyurea, opioids).
- No significant differences observed in mean hospital length of stay (7.05 vs 7.64 days).
- Similar rates of ICU care (6.3% vs 5.5%), 30-day readmissions (26.3% vs 24.7%), and mortality (1.05% vs 1.4%).
Conclusions:
- COVID-19 infection did not lead to significantly worse clinical outcomes in hospitalized sickle cell disease patients.
- The presence of COVID-19 did not alter key clinical outcomes compared to non-infected SCD patients.
- Further research may explore specific COVID-19 related complications in this vulnerable population.
Abstract:
Background We sought to clarify the impact of COVID-19 on clinical outcomes in sickle cell disease patients, given their baseline hypercoagulable state in combination with COVID-19-related coagulopathies and other complications. Methods Retrospective chart review of two groups of sickle cell disease patients hospitalized between March 2020 to December 2021: Group 1 did not have COVID-19 (n = 95) and Group 2 did (n = 73). Results Groups 1 and 2 were similar in terms of age, race, sex, comorbid illnesses, genotype, hydroxyurea use, and opioid use. Group 1 and 2 patients had a mean hospital length of stay of 7.05 and 7.64 days, respectively (p = 0.981). ICU-level care was required for six (6.3%) Group 1 patients and four (5.5%) Group 2 patients (p = 1.000). Readmissions within 30 days occurred for 25 (26.3%) Group 1 patients, and 18 (24.7%) Group 2 patients (p = 0.807). Death occurred for one (1.05%) Group 1 patient and one (1.4%) Group 2 patient (p = 1.000). There were no significant differences in commonly ordered initial laboratory values (total bilirubin, hemoglobin, hematocrit, creatinine, lactate dehydrogenase, and D-dimer) between Group 1 and Group 2 patients. Conclusions We observed no significant differences in clinical outcomes among sickle cell disease patients hospitalized due to COVID-19 compared to those without COVID-19.
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