title: Amelioration of painful crises in sickle cell disease by venesections.
abstract: Sickle cell disease patients who acquire iron deficiency may experience a degree of amelioration from painful crises in terms of frequency, severity, and duration. This observation prompted us to identify the potential utility of iron load reduction in the management of this disease. Thirteen sickle cell patients not ameliorated by conventional treatment entered a weekly venesection protocol. Hematological values and painful crises of all degrees of severity were recorded and compared to those of the last 12 months before venesection for each case separately ("historical controls"). A decrease was noted in the frequency and intensity of several types of painful crises. Reduction of iron load by venesection seems to be a simple, safe, side-effect-free, and efficient way of preventing and ameliorating to a large extent painful crises in sickle cell disease. The biological effects of venesection on other parameters of sickle cell disease remain to be determined.
authors.affiliation: 1st Department of Internal Medicine, University of Athens, School of Medicine, Laikon General Hospital, Athens, Greece.
authors.forename: Yannis
authors.initials: Y
authors.lastname: Rombos
authors.forename: Revekka
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: Tzanetea
authors.forename: Vassiliki
authors.initials: V
authors.lastname: Kalotychou
authors.forename: Kostas
authors.initials: K
authors.lastname: Konstantopoulos
authors.forename: Spyros
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Simitzis
authors.forename: Thomas
authors.initials: T
authors.lastname: Tassiopoulos
authors.forename: Athanasios
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Aessopos
authors.forename: Phaedon
authors.initials: P
authors.lastname: Fessas
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D000755:Anemia, Sickle Cell / Q000150:complications / Q000628:therapy*; D001815:Bloodletting; D004909:Erythrocyte Indices; D005260:Female; D005293:Ferritins / Q000097:blood; D005500:Follow-Up Studies; D005838:Genotype; D006699:Home Care Services; D006760:Hospitalization; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D010146:Pain / Q000209:etiology / Q000517:prevention & control; D059408:Pain Management; D012189:Retrospective Studies
chemical_list: D005293:Ferritins