Red blood cell transfusion therapy for sickle cell patients with frequent painful events

Background: Recurrent pain events or chronic pain are among the most common complications of sickle cell disease. Despite attempts to maximize adherence to and dosing of hydroxyurea, some patients continue to suffer from pain. Our institution developed a program to initiate chronic red blood cell transfusions for one year in patients clinically deemed to have high health care utilization from sickle cell pain, despite being prescribed hydroxyurea.