Sickle Cell Disease

Awareness of sickle cell disease among affected individuals was very low. Sickle cell disease prevalence in the Odisha sample was 0.40%. Sickle cell disease causes haemoglobin S to polymerize inside red blood cells, making them rigid, fragile, and sickle-shaped. Sickle-shaped cells can obstruct blood vessels and produce vaso-occlusive pain crises. Repeated vaso-occlusive pain crises can contribute to chronic sickle cell pain. People with sickle cell disease showed consistently low haemoglobin levels. Adults with sickle cell disease often report impaired health-related quality of life. Adults with sickle cell disease have a high burden of pain and healthcare use. Sickle cell disease disproportionately affects tribal communities in India. Chronic anaemia in sickle cell disease is central to morbidity and requires improved management. Median survival was lowest for sickle cell disease. Children with sickle cell disease were more likely to be underweight, while adults with sickle cell disease were more likely to be overweight or obese.