Sickle cell disease: A primary care update

Abstract

Sickle cell disease (SCD) is the most common hemoglobinopathy in the United States and causes signifi cant disease-related morbidity including multiorgan damage, chronic anemia, and debilitating pain crises. Primary care physicians play a key role in the medical home model of care for adults with SCD. This review focuses on current recommendations for health maintenance and provides a brief summary of disease complications and current updates.