title: Cocaine abuse complicating acute painful episodes in sickle cell disease.
abstract: We report three sickle cell patients with recent cocaine abuse who presented with typical symptoms of vaso-occlusion rapidly progressing to major organ dysfunction. Our experience suggests cocaine abuse is a risk factor for major complications of a sickle cell painful episode. Enhanced clinical and laboratory surveillance for organ dysfunction is indicated if a history of cocaine abuse is elicited. Evidence of organ failure should lead to consideration of early aggressive interventions such as transfusion therapy.
authors.affiliation: Division of Hematology/Oncology, University of Florida, Gainesville, FL, USA. bboulm@lsuhsc.edu
authors.forename: Brian
authors.initials: B
authors.lastname: Boulmay
authors.forename: Richard
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: Lottenberg
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D000755:Anemia, Sickle Cell / Q000150:complications*; D019970:Cocaine-Related Disorders / Q000150:complications* / Q000175:diagnosis; D017809:Fatal Outcome; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D009102:Multiple Organ Failure / Q000139:chemically induced*; D015813:Substance Abuse Detection