- One major possible issue for comorbid with sickle cell and COVID-19 is the development of acute chest syndrome
- This is more likely in those with sickle cell as viral and respiratory infections, like COVID-19, can open sickle cell patients up to a myriad of secondary lung issues
- Additionally, administering anti-malarial treatment as to assist a patient in recovery, like hydroxychloroquine, may also provide increased risk for the development of additional comorbid risks such as the development of G6PD deficiency


Ohio State University, Columbus

This paper details through the a few specific case studies of patients comorbid with sickle cell disease, detailing whether these comorbid patients are at risk for other additional diseases, and possible management as well as communication strategies for patients with sickle cell disease during the COVID-19 era.

COVID-19 and sickle cell disease - Haematologica

Menapace, L. A., & Thein, S. L. (2020). COVID-19 and sickle cell disease. Haematologica, 105(11), 2501–2504. https://doi.org/10.3324/haematol.2020.255398

URL: https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC7604559/

COVID-19 and sickle cell disease


- There was a 10-account study in the UK of patients comorbid with sickle cell disease and COVID-19
- 7 of these patients were female
- Experts predicted patients from this series would have acute chest syndrome caused by their COVID-19 infection
- Only 1 patient from this series died due to significant respiratory complications, however she was additionally comorbid with other respiratory issues along with a disease which prevented regular transfusions
- Additionally, a secondary study of 195 COVID-19 cases was performed at 10 regional hematological centers among the UK where the overwhelming majority were comorbid with sickle cell disease
- 8 of these sickle cell patients required mechanical ventilation and 11 of the 13 total deaths in the study were those with sickle cell


Case Studies of Sickle Cell Disease and COVID-19

Secondary Illness Risk for Patients with Sickle Cell Disease and COVID-19

- Experts are recommending that patients with sickle cell disease avoid possibility of infection from COVID-19 as much as possible due to increased risk for severe effects
- Additionally, patients with sickle cell are advised to manage their sickle cell the best they possibly can at home before coming to a hospital
- When patients receive blood transfusions to mitigate stroke risk, it is suggested that patients are slowly put onto a hydroxyurea treatment regimen as there is a shortage of blood during the pandemic
- This paper also provides a more in-depth procedure of what steps should physicians and patients alike should take for managing and triaging sickle cell during the COVID-19 era shown in Figure 1


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