Table 1.

Comprehensive review and screening for complications in adults with SCD

I. Identify a primary care physician to coordinate total patient care 
II. Comprehensive multisystem review to evaluate complications 
 Pain: days off work because of pain 
  i. Acute pain: frequency of hospital admissions or ER or Infusion Center visits, frequency of pain at home 
  ii. Chronic pain: including use of opiate analgesia 
  iii. Individualized pain plan for acute and chronic pain 
  Medical history/details of comorbidities 
  i. Sickle related: 
   1. Renal dysfunction (proteinuria, hematuria) 
   2. Cardiorespiratory symptoms 
   3. Neurological: any memory concerns 
   4. Leg ulcers 
   5. Visual: ophthalmologic symptoms and previous review 
   6. Priapism 
   7. History of thrombosis and anticoagulant therapy 
  ii. Nonsickle related: diabetes, hypertension, gout 
 Medication: consider HU if applicable, vaccinations 
 Transfusion history (to include frequency, transfusion reaction) 
 Vital signs (blood pressure, pulse oximetry, weight) 
 Baseline laboratory testing (complete blood count, biochemistry, hemolysis panel, liver panel, Hb electrophoresis and HbF percentage, iron studies to include ferritin and iron saturation, vitamin D, urinalysis) 
 Investigation: ECHO, pulmonary function, sleep study 
III. Evaluate for evidence of organ dysfunction* 
 Proteinuria with or without hematuria → renal consult 
 Cardiorespiratory symptoms → ECHO, TRV ≥ 2.5 ms → 6MWD, and NT-proBNP → cardiopulmonary consult 
 Liver function, evidence of intrahepatic cholestasis → hepatology consult 
 Avascular necrosis → orthopedic consult 
 Headaches, cognitive decline → neurology consult/neuropsychology assessment 
 Visual symptoms → yearly ophthalmology review 
 Daytime or nocturnal hypoxia → sleep/respiratory consult 
 Stuttering priapism or acute priapic episodes → urology consult 
IV. Emotional/psychological review and whether support needed for education/work 
V. Reproductive review 
VI. Discussion of treatment options and potential new therapies 
VII. Management of other comorbidities, if applicable 
I. Identify a primary care physician to coordinate total patient care 
II. Comprehensive multisystem review to evaluate complications 
 Pain: days off work because of pain 
  i. Acute pain: frequency of hospital admissions or ER or Infusion Center visits, frequency of pain at home 
  ii. Chronic pain: including use of opiate analgesia 
  iii. Individualized pain plan for acute and chronic pain 
  Medical history/details of comorbidities 
  i. Sickle related: 
   1. Renal dysfunction (proteinuria, hematuria) 
   2. Cardiorespiratory symptoms 
   3. Neurological: any memory concerns 
   4. Leg ulcers 
   5. Visual: ophthalmologic symptoms and previous review 
   6. Priapism 
   7. History of thrombosis and anticoagulant therapy 
  ii. Nonsickle related: diabetes, hypertension, gout 
 Medication: consider HU if applicable, vaccinations 
 Transfusion history (to include frequency, transfusion reaction) 
 Vital signs (blood pressure, pulse oximetry, weight) 
 Baseline laboratory testing (complete blood count, biochemistry, hemolysis panel, liver panel, Hb electrophoresis and HbF percentage, iron studies to include ferritin and iron saturation, vitamin D, urinalysis) 
 Investigation: ECHO, pulmonary function, sleep study 
III. Evaluate for evidence of organ dysfunction* 
 Proteinuria with or without hematuria → renal consult 
 Cardiorespiratory symptoms → ECHO, TRV ≥ 2.5 ms → 6MWD, and NT-proBNP → cardiopulmonary consult 
 Liver function, evidence of intrahepatic cholestasis → hepatology consult 
 Avascular necrosis → orthopedic consult 
 Headaches, cognitive decline → neurology consult/neuropsychology assessment 
 Visual symptoms → yearly ophthalmology review 
 Daytime or nocturnal hypoxia → sleep/respiratory consult 
 Stuttering priapism or acute priapic episodes → urology consult 
IV. Emotional/psychological review and whether support needed for education/work 
V. Reproductive review 
VI. Discussion of treatment options and potential new therapies 
VII. Management of other comorbidities, if applicable 

ECHO, echocardiogram; Hb, hemoglobin; 6MWD, 6-minute walk distance; NT-ProBNP, N-terminal pro b-type natriuretic peptide; TRV, tricuspid regurgitant jet velocity.

*

If specialist review is recommended, referral should be made to a specialist with an interest/expertise in SCD or to a joint hematology/specialist clinic where these are available.

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