title: Clinical profile and home management of sickle cell-related pain: the Enugu (Nigeria) experience.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  To document the pattern of and ability of sickle cell anemic patients to manage painful crises at home.
  
  
  METHODS
  Confirmed HbSS patients or caregivers attending the University of Nigeria Teaching Hospital (UNTH), Enugu, Nigeria, were interviewed, using a questionnaire, on their last painful episode.
  
  
  RESULTS
  The limbs were involved in all ages, but involvement of the joints, ribs, and spine was uncommon in patients under 5 years old. Pain started between 6 pm and 12 midnight in 33.3%. Analgesics with or without massage or hydration was mostly used at home. 29% of subjects required hospitalization.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Patients need better access to more potent analgesics to reduce the burden on the health system.
authors: Department of Paediatrics, University of Nigeria Teaching Hospital, Enugu, Nigeria. nnaaikefuna@yahoo.com
authors: Anthony N
authors: AN
authors: Ikefuna
authors: Ifeoma J
authors: IJ
authors: Emodi
authors: Sunday
authors: S
authors: Ocheni
mesh_terms: D000293:Adolescent; D000700:Analgesics / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D000755:Anemia, Sickle Cell / Q000150:complications / Q000188:drug therapy*; D002648:Child; D002675:Child, Preschool; D005260:Female; D019538:Health Care Surveys / Q000706:statistics & numerical data*; D006301:Health Services Needs and Demand / Q000706:statistics & numerical data*; D006760:Hospitalization / Q000706:statistics & numerical data; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D009549:Nigeria; D010146:Pain / Q000188:drug therapy* / Q000209:etiology; D012648:Self Care / Q000706:statistics & numerical data*; D011795:Surveys and Questionnaires; D055815:Young Adult
chemical_list: D000700:Analgesics