Continuing care for adult patients with sickle cell disease
| Autor: | Mabel Koshy, Louise Dorn |
|---|---|
| Rok vydání: | 1996 |
| Předmět: |
Adult
Employment Pediatrics medicine.medical_specialty Abdominal pain Databases Factual Anemia Sickle Cell Severity of Illness Index Ambulatory Care Medicine Humans Disabled Persons Hepatitis vaccine Registries Newborn screening business.industry Medical record Hematology Continuity of Patient Care medicine.disease Sickle Beta Thalassemia Sickle cell anemia Hospitalization Hemoglobinopathy Oncology Vomiting medicine.symptom business |
| Zdroj: | Hematology/oncology clinics of North America. 10(6) |
| ISSN: | 0889-8588 |
| Popis: | Dissemination of information regarding health care by comprehensive sickle cell centers and early identification of patients needing treatment through mandatory newborn screening programs have significantly reduced morbidity and mortality of sickle cell anemia (SS disease). The latter programs have also identified individuals with other hemoglobin disorders as well as subjects at risk for having offspring with a hemoglobin disorder. At the present time, the average lifespan of patients with SS disease is approximately 45 years, and 50 and 60 years among those with compound heterozygous disorders (sickle hemoglobin C disease and sickle beta thalassemia). Early diagnosis, advances in medical technology, and improved treatment have each contributed to patients' longevity. Among the latter are the institution of penicillin prophylaxis, use of pneumococcal vaccine, and improved knowledge of preventable complications of sickle cell disease by patients and their families. Patients should be taught to seek medical care in the following situations: (1) persistent fever over 101°F (38.3°C); (2) chest pain, shortness of breath, nausea and vomiting; (3) abdominal pain with nausea and vomiting; (4) persistent headache not experienced previously. Preventive measures include (1) following an immunization schedule, (2) pneumococcal vaccine, (3) hepatitis vaccine, (4) foot care and protective shoes, (5) periodic health care visits, and (6) a biannual visit for those over 30 years of age. A list of simple "do's and don'ts" (Table 1) has produced significant improvements in the length and quality of patients' lives. |
| Databáze: | OpenAIRE |
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