Impact Of Sickle Cell Disease Symptoms On Patients' Daily Lives: Interim Results From The International Sickle Cell World Assessment Survey (Sway)

Background: Sickle cell disease (SCD) is a multi-system disease affecting millions of people. The disease is characterized by vaso-occlusive crises (VOCs), resulting in acute and chronic pain, end-organ damage and life-threatening complications. The symptoms experienced by patients, caused largely by multi-cellular adhesion leading to vaso-occlusion and vasculopathy, significantly affect their quality of life (QoL) and ability to work/study. Understanding the effect of SCD on patients' daily lives can inform management of the disease and improve patients' QoL.