Table 2.
Patient demographic, disease characteristics, and therapies
| Demographics | Younger (n = 20) | Older (n = 20) | All (n = 40) |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean age in years (range) | 30 (20–47) | 57 (50–71) | 44 (20–71) |
| Female, % (n) | 45 (9) | 50 (10) | 48 (19) |
| Income ≤ $50,000, % (n) | 45 (9) | 50 (10) | 48 (19) |
| Employment status, % (n) | |||
| Working | 45 (9) | 50 (10) | 48 19) |
| Unemployed | 15 (3) | 5 (1) | 10 (4) |
| Disabled | 20 (4) | 30 (6) | 25 (10) |
| Retired | 0 (0) | 10 (2) | 5 (2) |
| Student | 20 (4) | 0 (0) | 10 (4) |
| Other | 0 (0) | 5 (1) | 3 (1) |
| Education level, % (n) | |||
| High school graduate or less | 20 (4) | 20 (4) | 20 (8) |
| Some college/associates/technical school | 40 (8) | 35 (7) | 38 (15) |
| Bachelor’s degree | 25 (5) | 25 (5) | 25 (10) |
| Advanced degree | 15 (3) | 20 (4) | 18 (7) |
| Lives alone, % (n) | 25 (5) | 20 (4) | 23 (9) |
| Disease characteristics | |||
| SCD genotype, % (n) | |||
| Hb SS | 60 (12) | 55 (11) | 58 (23) |
| Hb Sβ0 | 5 (1) | 0 (0) | 3 (1) |
| Hb Sβ+ | 15 (3) | 10 (2) | 13 (5) |
| Hb SC | 20 (4) | 35 (7) | 28 (11) |
| Hemoglobin (g/dL) mean ± SD, (Range) | 9.8 ± 1.9 (6.6–13.9) | 8.9 ± 2.4 (5.6–13.5) | 9.3 ± 2.2 (5.6–13.9) |
| Strokes, % (n) | 10 (2) | 15 (3) | 13 (5) |
| Sickle cell retinopathy, % (n) | 25 (5) | 55 (11) | 40 (16) |
| History of acute chest syndrome/pneumonia, % (n) | 85 (17) | 65 (13) | 75 (30) |
| Pulmonary hypertension, % (n) | 0 (0) | 25 (5) | 13 (5) |
| Spleen removed, % (n) | 35 (7) | 25 (5) | 30 (12) |
| Chronic kidney disease, % (n) | 10 (2) | 45 (9) | 28 (11) |
| Cholecystectomy, % (n) | 45 (9) | 70 (14) | 58 (23) |
| Iron overload, % (n) | 25 (5) | 20 (4) | 23 (9) |
| Avascular necrosis of any joint, % (n) | 40 (8) | 80 (16) | 60 (24) |
| Joint Surgery, % (n) | 30 (6) | 30 (6) | 30 (12) |
| Leg ulcers, % (n) | 5 (1) | 15 (3) | 10 (4) |
| Hypertension, % (n) | 0 (0) | 35 (7) | 18 (7) |
| Diabetes, % (n) | 0 (0) | 5 (1) | 3 (1) |
| Hearing (fair or poor), % (n) | 0 (0) | 25 (5) | 13 (5) |
| Healthcare Utilization | |||
| Hospitalized for pain in last year, % (n) | 60 (12) | 45 (9) | 53 (21) |
| Visited the ED in the last year, % (n) | 70 (14) | 65 (13) | 68 (27) |
| Visited Sickle Cell Day Hospital in last year, % (n) | 35 (7) | 47 (9) | 41 (16) |
| ≥ 4 hospitalizations in the last year, % (n) | 0 (0) | 10 (2) | 5 (2) |
| *Severe pain crisis at home without hospitalization in last 6 months, % (n) | 70 (14) | 75 (15) | 73 (29) |
| Sickle cell disease medications and therapies | |||
| Hydroxyurea use, % (n) | 65 (13) | 55 (11) | 60 (24) |
| Chronic transfusion therapy, % (n) | 20 (4) | 15 (3) | 18 (7) |
| Iron Chelation Therapy, % (n) | 25 (5) | 15 (3) | 20 (8) |
| Long-acting opiates, % (n) | 20 (4) | 35 (7) | 28 (11) |
| Short-acting opiates, % (n) | 75 (15) | 85 (17) | 80 (32) |