
The impact
sickle cell disease
has on you

The Impact of Sickle Cell Disease:
A Global Survey
Largest
Global
Surveys in SCD
Enrolled
With SCD Surveyed
of Life and Disease
Management
Symptoms

1 pain crisis
in the past year
Activities

sickle cell disease
impacted their daily
home activities
Life

frustrated with
their symptoms
and School

would be higher
if they did not have
sickle cell disease
Sickle cell disease and pain crises can affect your body, mind, and overall life
Sickle cell disease and pain crises can lead to acute and chronic complications such as organ damage and organ failure.
Select an icon below to learn more:






















SUDDEN, INTENSE PAIN
Pain crisis or vaso-occlusive crisis
STROKE
Silent or clinical stroke or cerebral infarction
[suh-ree-bruhl in-fahrk-shuhn]
LUNG DISEASE
Acute chest syndrome
KIDNEY DISEASE
Renal dysfunction or failure
DAMAGE TO THE HIP BONES
Avascular necrosis
[a-vas-kyuh-ler nuh-kroh-sis]
DAMAGE TO THE BLOOD VESSELS
OF YOUR EYES
Retinopathy
[ret-n-op-uh-thee]
Increased risk of depression; anxiety; difficulty with
mental tasks
Mental health
Men: PROLONGED Painful ERECTIONS
Priapism [pry-uh-piz-uhm]
Women: pain crises occurring at the same time as MENSTRUAL cycle
Pain crisis during menstruation
[men-stroo-ey-shuh-n]
Leg wounds
Leg ulcer
























Other health issues, such as infections, cardiac dysfunction, hepatic dysfunction, and splenic dysfunction may occur in the body as well.
Despite these serious health risks, 68% of pain crises in the Netherlands, for example, are managed at home. It is important that you seek the medical care you need. Be sure to keep track of pain crises and tell a doctor about every pain crisis you or your child has. He or she can help come up with a game plan that may aid you in better managing any future pain crises.
Sickle cell disease can affect emotional life, but many people still lead productive lives
People with sickle cell disease may experience:


Depression
Up to 30% of people with sickle cell disease have depression


Anxiety
Up to 10% of people with sickle cell disease experience anxiety


Fatigue
People with sickle cell disease may experience fatigue


Difficulty learning and paying attention
People with sickle cell disease are at greater risk of these challenges


Difficulty sleeping
People with sickle cell disease are at greater risk for sleep difficulties