| ackground and objective. Sickle cell disease (SCD) is an inherited disorder characterized by the production of defective hemoglobin, which in turn leads to the formation of sickle-shaped red blood cells (RBCs). Predominantly affecting people of African descent, it is estimated that between 50,000 and 100,000 people in the United States (US) are afflicted with the disease, with approximately 2,000 new cases arising each. Patients with SCD frequently experience unexpected, intermittent, and sometimes life-threatening complications leading to increased numbers of emergency room visits and frequent hospitalizations, each with substantial economic costs. In the US alone, SCD-related inpatient costs alone are estimated to be between... |
