How Does Sickle Cell Disease Severity Affect Patient Collection Of Disability Insurance And Income: An Analysis Of Us Survey Data

Introduction: Sickle cell disease (SCD) is a complex genetic disease with a multifactorial pathophysiology including multi-cell adhesion between red blood cells, white blood cells, platelets and endothelial cells, ultimately resulting in vaso-occlusive crises (VOCs). VOCs are the hallmark of SCD and are the primary cause for hospitalization. These recurrent episodes induce severe pain, decrease quality of life, can cause life-threatening complications, and are associated with increased risk of organ damage and mortality. While the clinical burden of SCD is well-documented, less evidence exists surrounding how the severity of SCD affects patients economically. The number of VOCs and other complications not only affect the likelihood of patients being able to work on a given day, but may also affect their long-term economic prospects. This analysis aims to better understand the association between SCD disease severity and its impact on the likelihood of collecting Supplemental Security Income (SSI) and patient income.