American journal of preventive medicine
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Patients with sickle cell disease (SCD) often use emergency department services to obtain medical care. Limited information is available about emergency department use among patients with SCD. ⋯ Substantial numbers of emergency department visits occur among people with SCD. The most common reason for the emergency department visits is pain symptoms. The findings of this study can help to improve health services delivery and utilization among patients with SCD.
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Sickle cell disease (SCD) is one of the most common monogenetic diseases worldwide. Although there have been some advances in the management of SCD in high-income countries, much remains to be learned about the mechanisms underlying the wide phenotypic diversity of the disease. In low-income countries, basic facilities for management are lacking, systematic screening is not common practice, and diagnosis is made late. ⋯ During a session on capacity building, small study groups consisting of participants from low-, middle-, and high-income countries discussed collaborations for the identification, clinical care, and study of SCD patients in low-income countries. There was agreement to establish the Global Sickle Cell Disease Network to foster a global community to advance the clinical care and study of patients with SCD. The next meeting of the network will take place in Accra, Ghana, on July 20-23, 2010.
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Randomized Controlled Trial
Promoting primary care smoking-cessation support with quitlines: the QuitLink Randomized Controlled Trial.
Counseling by clinicians promotes smoking cessation, but in most U.S. primary care practices, it is difficult to provide more than brief advice to quit in the course of routine work. Telephone quitlines can deliver effective intensive counseling, but few collaborate closely with clinicians. ⋯ NCT00112268.
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Americans of Mexican origin are at high risk for developing cardiovascular disease. ⋯ Social influence may play an important role in motivating individuals to engage in screenings. Network-based intervention involving older individuals to provide encouragement to younger network members should be explored as a means to increase motivation to screen among this population.
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Comparative Study
Sickle cell disease and pregnancy outcomes: women of African descent.
Sickle cell disease (SCD) is a severe hematologic condition that presents unique complications among affected pregnant women. Many studies of adverse perinatal outcomes associated with SCD are limited by small samples or fail to consider important risk factors. ⋯ Population-based linked data systems are useful for assessing risks of adverse health outcomes among women with specific medical conditions, such as SCD. Women with SCD should seek preconception care to identify and modify risk behaviors and receive counseling regarding potential adverse sequelae associated with pregnancy-related morbidity and preterm delivery.