Contributions
Improving Participation in Sickle Cell Disease Studies
With sickle cell disease (SCD) predominately affecting people of African descent, understanding how to improve SCD outcomes is crucial to rectifying health disparities. The National Heart and Lung Association funded several centers to participate in the Sickle Cell Disease Implementation Consortium. This study, published in the Journal of Immigrant and Minority Health, analyzed these centers’ strategies...
Involving Youth With Sickle Cell Disease in Their Care
A successful transition from pediatric to adult care is crucial for adolescents and young adults (AYAs) living with sickle cell disease. Preparation for this transition is key to reducing the morbidity and mortality risks they could potentially face later in life. Researchers at the University of Missouri conducted a cross-sectional, correlational study to explore the...
Preventive Services Lacking for Kids With Sickle Cell Anemia
It is considered best practice for kids with sickle cell anemia to receive antibiotic prophylaxis to prevent serious infections. Additionally, it is recommended that they undergo transcranial Doppler (TCD) screening to determine their risk of overt stroke. However, it remains unclear how many children with sickle cell anemia actually receive antibiotic prophylaxis and/or undergo TCD...
Etavopivat for the Treatment of Sickle Cell Disease
This study, published in the Journal of Pharmacology and Experimental Therapeutics, evaluates the response of both non-human primates and healthy human subjects to etavopivat. Etavopivat is a small molecule activator of the glycolytic enzyme erythrocyte pyruvate kinase. It is being developed to treat sickle cell disease (SCD) and is hypothesized to work via multiple mechanisms that increase...
Virtual Tool Helps Parents of Kids With Sickle Cell Disease
Before the pandemic, Ohio offered in-person education for parents of children with sickle cell trait (SCT), a condition that afflicts about 8% of African Americans born each year. It was found that participating individuals with a low health literacy rate were less likely to achieve a suitable level of knowledge about managing SCT. This study,...
Neurocognitive Difficulty Found in Kids With Sickle Cell Disease
Many pediatric patients with sickle cell disease (SCD) struggle with neurocognitive and academic difficulties and do not receive proper educational and therapeutic support for these issues. As a result, it is vital that these patients are identified and referred for appropriate care. This article, published in Clinical Practice in Pediatric Psychology, analyzes referrals made in a...
The Emotional Toll of Sickle Cell Disease on Caregivers
Sickle Cell Disease (SCD) crisis prevention and management are crucial yet challenging, as pain crises can happen at any instance and require immediate attention. In addition, caregivers of patients with SCD bear a great deal of responsibility. Caregiving responsibilities frequently come at a high psychosocial cost and necessitate significant lifestyle modifications. The prevalence of emotional...
Dr. Kaminska: Providing Culturally Sensitive Care
In this MD Newsline exclusive interview with dermatologist Dr. Edidiong Kaminska, we discuss how to provide culturally sensitive care and overcome language barriers. MD Newsline: How have you been able to implement culturally sensitive care in your practice? Dr. Edidiong Kaminska: “I love my practice. My staff looks like the United Nations. When you have...
Making Meaningful Change in Dermatology Research
In this MD Newsline exclusive interview with dermatologist Dr. Edidiong Kaminska, we discuss the latest research on melanoma treatment. We also discuss how to improve diversity and inclusion in dermatology clinical trials. MD Newsline: Is there any research that excites you or that you think is important for physicians to know related to the diagnosis and...