Ebook: Sickle Cell Disease in Clinical Practice

Sickle Cell Disease is the most common genetic disease world wide and in the UK. It has marked geographical variation in its distribution in the UK, with a concentration in London and other major conurbations (Birmingham and Manchester). In these areas, specialist centres have become established offering expert, up to date care for both inpatients and out patients with Sickle Cell Disease. Although patient numbers are increasing outside these areas, the expertise of health professionals can be patchy. This book aims to provide a user friendly, accessible resource for areas with smaller numbers of patients, to allow them to provide equitable care with the larger well established centres. Sickle Cell Disease can be associated with acute life threatening complications, when clear, easily available advice is needed, and with chronic long term complications which may need liaison with other health professionals. Clear treatment protocols for all the common complications of sickle cell disease, are outlined here, with summaries of key evidence and references.

This practical clinical handbook reveals that sickle cell disease (SCD) is an increasingly common condition to manage in Europe and North America. SCD demands clinical expertise and experience as well as sensitivity to its social and cultural context. This book is designed to broaden readers’ knowledge in this challenging condition by describing the acute and long-term complications unique to SCD and that affect nearly every system of the body. Critically, it also details the significant recent advances in understanding the pathophysiology of SCD that are leading to novel treatment modalities.

Sickle Cell Disease in Clinical Practice promotes higher quality care by outlining the clinical problems as they arise, and covering essential background information, including up-to-date research, and useful points to guide management. As such, the intended target audience is broad and includes general physicians, general practitioners, hematologists, pediatricians, emergency medicine physicians, surgeons, medical students, nurse specialists and commissioners.