Evidence-based Management of Sickle Cell Disease: Expert Panel

Complications may occur early and span the entire life of individuals affected by SCD. Direct SCD complications may include acute or chronic pain syndromes, significant anemia and its sequelae, as well as organ damage and failure. Other coexisting complications may include rheumatoid arthritis and peptic ulcer disease. 147,286 Common acute complications and their sequelae are described in the “Managing Acute Complications of Sickle Cell Disease” chapter in these guidelines. This chapter focuses on the chronic complications of SCD. Chronic complications of SCD can affect almost any organ, and certain acute complications, such as stroke and priapism, often evolve into chronic phases that require special approaches to management.