Sickle cell anemia: pathophysiology, management, and prospects for the future.
Sickle cell anemia is present in about 1 in 600 Black Americans at birth. It claims the life of many infants, causes pain and suffering in adults, and usually culminates in premature death. We currently understand a great deal about this disease on a molecular, cellular, and clinical basis. The results of years of research are slowly being translated to innovative therapies and improvements in patient care. In this paper I review the pathophysiology of this disorder, highlight the currently available treatment, and discuss new forms of therapy that promise a more direct approach to avoiding the many complications of sickle cell anemia.
Steinberg
M H
MH
Department of Medicine, University of Mississippi School of Medicine, Jackson.
D000755:Anemia, Sickle Cell / Q000503:physiopathology* / Q000628:therapy*; D005544:Forecasting; D006801:Humans