[Treatment of sickle cell anemia crisis with dipyrone, hydrocortisone, and fluid therapy]

It was observed "in vitro" that dipirone improves hemoglobin S solubility, and that corticosteroids by antiinflammatory action relieve pain in sickle cell anemia crises. In the period between 1983 and 1988, 116 patients with sickle cell anemia having painful crises were studied. All patients were hydrated with DW (5% normal Serum Sodium/NSS) 1:1, in a total volume of 2250 ml/square meters (sgm) day. Patients were distributed as follows: Group 1: 26 patients treated with an association of dipirone and hidrocortisone; Group 2: 21 patients treated with hidrocortisone only; Group 3: 22 patients treated with dipirone only; Group 4: 23 patients treated only with hidration; Group 5: 24 patients treated only with DW 50%. Treatment efficacy was evaluated on the subjective assessment (complete pain relief of patients, 24 hours after the beginning of the treatment). We have concluded that treatment with dipirone and/or hidrocortisone plus hidration was efficient for pain relief in sickle cell crises.