Dr. Lauren Weinand

Sickle cell disease (SCD) is an inherited blood disorder that disproportionately affects Black individuals. Unfortunately, Black people in the United States and abroad experience racism, which has been known to worsen mental health and overall quality of life.  Given that social support is one possible buffer to the negative health impacts of racism, this cross-sectional...

Young adults must navigate a period of healthcare transition, facing new logistical and economic barriers in the adult healthcare system. Moreover, many young adults change or lose insurance. While this transition is difficult for all young adults, those with sickle cell disease (SCD)—who typically have a high need for healthcare utilization—are particularly vulnerable.  As a...

One complication patients with sickle cell disease face is osteonecrosis of the femoral head, requiring treatment with total hip arthroplasty. This study, published in HIP International, analyzed the impact of sickle cell disease on postoperative outcomes following total hip arthroplasty. Patients were identified using a national insurance claims database along with relevant CPT and ICD-9/10 codes....

There are known reproductive health risks associated with sickle cell disease (SCD). However, the medical literature on this subject is limited. This report, published in the British Journal of Haematology, sought to summarize what is known about the reproductive health risks faced by women with SCD. Its areas of focus included contraception, fertility, hormone therapies, menstruation, and...

Patients with sickle cell disease (SCD) experience a higher risk of morbidity and mortality during the transition from adolescence to adulthood. This study, published in the Journal of Pediatric Hematology/Oncology, analyzed the factors associated with this transition.  A total of 59 study participants were recruited from a large hospital system and the community. The participants included...

Alemtuzumab is a monoclonal antibody that targets cell surface antigen CD52 on lymphocytes. It has been used to treat hematologic malignancies and has been incorporated into hematopoietic stem cell transplant (HSCT) conditioning regimens. However, few studies have evaluated the pharmacology of alemtuzumab in adults with sickle cell disease (SCD).   This study, published in Pharmacotherapy: The Journal...

Due to the developing nature of the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic, the effect of other health conditions on COVID-19 outcomes is not yet clear. This study, published in Blood Advances, identified predictors of outcomes and survival in patients with COVID-19 and sickle cell disease.  Data from patients in four COVID-19 epicenters were used. Patients had a median...

Despite sickle cell disease being the most common autosomal recessive genetic disorder worldwide, physicians tend to lack a complete understanding of the disease’s morbidity and mortality. This lack of knowledge can lead to healthcare disparities. This study, published in MedEdPORTAL, examines the impact of simulation-based curriculum on physician understanding of sickle cell disease. The researchers created...

Hematopoietic stem cell transplant (HSCT) remains the most effective way to cure sickle cell disease. However, its use is still limited by several challenges, including a lack of suitable donors, the risk of graft-versus-host disease, and therapy-related toxicity.  This study, published in Bone Marrow Transplantation, sought to determine the safety and efficacy of using donor-derived anti-3rd...