Author Archives: Vijaya Iyer, PhD

More people search for information on sickle cell disease (SCD) during winter than summer, indicating seasonal changes in symptom flare-ups, an analysis of Google search queries shows. Findings were published in the study, “Seasonal manifestations of sickle cell disease activity,” in the journal Nature Medicine. In SCD,…

Sickle cell disease patients experience silent strokes in the deep white matter of the brain that is prone to low oxygen supply, a brain-mapping study shows. The study, “Silent infarcts in sickle cell disease occur in the border zone region and are associated with low cerebral…

A new clinical decision support-based tool can help primary care physicians improve the care and management of patients with sickle cell disease (SCD), a study reports. The study, “Effectiveness of Clinical Decision Support Based Intervention in the Improvement of Care for Adult Sickle Cell Disease Patients in…

A virtual reality program designed to provide a distraction from pain may be an effective complementary therapy for children who are hospitalized for a sickle cell crisis, a study shows. The study, “Virtual reality as complementary pain therapy in hospitalized patients with sickle cell disease,” was published in the journal…

The diagnostic test HemoType SC is a viable option for the highly sensitive, specific, inexpensive, and rapid diagnosis of sickle cell disease, a large multi-center study shows. The test can be especially valuable for rapid detection and newborn screening programs in regions with low healthcare resources. The study, “…

Many sickle cell disease (SCD) patients use marijuana for its medicinal benefits, according to an anonymous survey by researchers from Yale New Haven Hospital and Yale University. These results show that there is a need to study the effects of marijuana on these patients and to consider whether sickle cell…

A five-year partnership among The Sickle Cell Disease Association of America (SCDAA), the Sickle Cell Foundation of Georgia (SCFG), and the American Red Cross has been launched to encourage blood donation, with focus on African-Americans. As part of the partnership, educational campaigns to generate awareness about sickle cell disease…

A major distribution agreement with Cardinal Health will make Endari (L-glutamine) available in pharmacies nationwide that use Cardinal as their supplier, Emmaus Life Sciences announced. Already available to sickle cell disease patients in 36 states, Washington, D.C., and Puerto Rico, this agreement further expands the distribution network of…

In a survey, patients across the U.K. with sickle cell disease — especially adolescents and young adults — voiced discontent with their healthcare experiences, particularly as they relate to emergency care and the promptness of pain relief, a study reports. The study, “Patient-reported experience measure in sickle cell disease,” was published in…

GlycA, a biomarker for conditions linked to vascular inflammation, has been found to not be a reliable indicator of inflammation in patients with sickle cell disease (SCD) due to its inability to differentiate between acute pain crisis and their usual state of health, according to researchers. The study, “GlycA…