Transition to adult care in sickle cell disease: A longitudinal study of clinical characteristics and disease severity.

ABSTRACT:

Background

Sickle cell disease (SCD) is a chronic blood disorder in which mortality has increased for adolescents and young adults (AYA).

Procedure

A longitudinal analysis of medical records was conducted to describe the clinical course among AYAs (ages 12-27 years) during transition to adult care. Measures included sociodemographic, complications, SCD severity (modified pediatric SCD severity index), comorbidities, and transfer. Group-based trajectory modeling (GBTM) to identify subgroups with distinct severity trajectories and chi-square and unpaired Student t test to explore subgroup differences were used.

Results

Overall, 339 AYAs (97% black, 56% male, 69% hemoglobin SS) had 10 848 clinic, 3840 hospital, and 3152 emergency department visits. Complications included

SUBMITTER: Kayle M 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC6830445 | biostudies-literature | 2019 Jan

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature