AAPM Director-at-Large Robert W. Hurley, MD PhD co-authored new clinical practice guidelines on management of pain in sickle cell disease (SCD) published in the American Society of Hematology (ASH) journal, Blood Advances.
Pain is the most common complication of SCD and it significantly decreases daily quality of life. Severe pain is the leading cause of emergency department visits and hospitalizations for people with SCD. Individuals with pain from SCD often don’t get the care they need because comprehensive information about medications and therapies had not been readily available. This guideline address clinical challenges by providing the first evidence-based recommendations to help individuals with SCD and their providers make the most informed decisions for personalized care.