The Community Focus Channel on VJHemOnc is an independent medical education platform, supported with funding from Johnson & Johnson (Gold). Supporters have no influence on the production of content. The levels of sponsorship listed are reflective of the amount of funding given.
The Non-Malignant Channel on VJHemOnc is an independent medical education platform, supported with funding from Agios (Gold). Supporters have no influence on the production of content. The levels of sponsorship listed are reflective of the amount of funding given.
The Sickle Cell Disease Channel on VJHemOnc is an independent medical education platform, supported with funding from Agios (Gold). Supporters have no influence on the production of content. The levels of sponsorship listed are reflective of the amount of funding given.
ASH 2024 | Challenges and strategies for addressing chronic pain and quality of life in patients with SCD
Sophia Delicou, MD, Hippokration General Hospital, Athens, Greece, comments on the challenges of managing chronic pain in patients with sickle cell disease (SCD), emphasizing the need for a holistic approach incorporating medical treatment, physical therapy, and psychological support. Dr Delicou highlights the importance of having a dedicated pain management clinic, ensuring coordination among healthcare providers, and providing timely treatment to improve patient outcomes. She expresses optimism about the potential of novel agents, such as etavopivat, to reduce long-term complications and improve the quality of life for patients. This interview took place at the 66th ASH Annual Meeting and Exposition, held in San Diego, CA.
These works are owned by Magdalen Medical Publishing (MMP) and are protected by copyright laws and treaties around the world. All rights are reserved.
Transcript
This is a difficult part of the management of these patients. The chronic pain in sickle cell disease is a very huge challenge for the doctors that manage sickle cell patients. That’s because it affects every aspect of their life, physical, emotional and social. So to manage it successfully, we need to take a look to the whole picture. In addition to medical treatment like hydroxyurea or the new agents, there must be also general pain management strategies like physical therapy, psychological support, and all these...
This is a difficult part of the management of these patients. The chronic pain in sickle cell disease is a very huge challenge for the doctors that manage sickle cell patients. That’s because it affects every aspect of their life, physical, emotional and social. So to manage it successfully, we need to take a look to the whole picture. In addition to medical treatment like hydroxyurea or the new agents, there must be also general pain management strategies like physical therapy, psychological support, and all these. It’s really important, in my opinion, and we have in my clinic, to have a dedicated pain management clinic linked to the sickle cell unit. This makes sure that everyone involved with the care with this patient has the same information, which is important to not miss the information, and to be on the same page, doctors and patients. Also, you need to give the right treatment, the right time from the right doctor. So we are very optimistic about that and we are also optimistic for the new treatments like etavopivat, as I mentioned before, which can help to reduce both long-term complications. So I think that we can have a good perspective for the future for these patients and their pain.
Read more...
Disclosures
Honoraria: ELPEN, DEMO, Novo Nordisk, Pfizer, Bristol Myers Squibb, Novartis; Research Funding: ISIS, Vifor, Novo Nordisk, Bristol Myers Squibb, Novartis, Afimmune, Agios, Novartis; Consultancy: Pfizer, Bristol Myers Squibb, Novartis; Membership on an Entity’s Board of Directors or Advisory Committees: Afimmune, Novartis; Current Employment: Hippokrateio General Hospital.
