Sickle Cell Disease

Patients with sickle cell disease in the United States experience profound disparities in care following transition from pediatric to adult medicine due to limited access to adult sickle cell subspecialists and discomfort around sickle cell disease management by primary care providers (PCPs). PCPs are well equipped to provide typical disease management for patients with sickle cell disease with adequate training. In addition, PCPs may also perform the initial triage for patients who may qualify for newer sickle cell disease-modifying medications and curative therapies, such as stem cell transplantation and gene therapy. This chapter provides an overview of the comorbid conditions and outpatient management of sickle cell disease. There are also specific clinical considerations for reproductive counseling, mental health, and bias.