scholarly journals A Multidimensional Electronic Hydroxyurea Adherence Intervention for Children With Sickle Cell Disease: Single-Arm Before-After Study

10.2196/13452 ◽  
2019 ◽  
Vol 7 (8) ◽  
pp. e13452 ◽  
Author(s):  
Susan Creary ◽  
Deena Chisolm ◽  
Joseph Stanek ◽  
Jane Hankins ◽  
Sarah H O'Brien

Background Hydroxyurea is a disease-modifying medication for patients with sickle cell disease (SCD). Despite demonstrated efficacy, hydroxyurea nonadherence in clinical practice is common and results in worse health outcomes for nonadherent patients. Mobile Directly Observed Therapy (Mobile DOT) is a pilot-tested, electronic, multidimensional hydroxyurea adherence intervention for children with SCD. Mobile DOT includes sending daily text message reminders to patients to take hydroxyurea, patients recording and sending daily videos that capture their hydroxyurea administrations for the research team to review and track adherence, providing personalized feedback to patients about their adherence, and providing small monetary incentives to patients if they achieve high hydroxyurea adherence. Objective This study aimed to determine if Mobile DOT increases hydroxyurea adherence in children with SCD and to explore its impact on hematologic and clinical outcomes. Methods This was a single-arm, 6-month intervention study of patients with SCD on hydroxyurea who were aged ≤19 years and reported having access to an electronic device. Participants’ hydroxyurea adherence when they received Mobile DOT was compared with their adherence 6 months before and after receiving Mobile DOT. Participants’ medication possession ratio (MPR) was calculated from their pharmacy dispensing records and was used to measure adherence. Laboratory and clinical outcomes were abstracted from participants’ electronic medical records. Infrequently hospitalized patients who received at least 160 days of the intervention were considered to be engaged participants. Results Of 91 patients who were approached, 55 enrolled and 34 engaged with Mobile DOT. The median age of the engaged participants was 10 years (range 2-18.8 years), and 21 (62%, 21/34) participants were male, 28 (82%, 21/34) had hemoglobin SS SCD, and 19 (56%, 19/34) were prescribed hydroxyurea for at least a year before enrollment. With Mobile DOT, engaged participants’ median MPR increased from 61.7% to 84.4% (P<.001) and significantly more (67% vs 30%; P=.002) achieved ≥80% hydroxyurea adherence compared with baseline values. Engaged participants’ mean fetal hemoglobin (HgbF) levels and mean corpuscular volumes (MCV) improved significantly after 6 months of Mobile DOT (P=.04 and P=.001, respectively), but their adherence, HgbF levels, and MCV returned to baseline values during the 6 months after the intervention. Hospitalizations and the clinical outcomes that were measured occurred infrequently during the study. Nonengagement was associated with being female and having a recent SCD complication. In addition, having insufficient electronic data, being unable to quickly complete Mobile DOT each day, and not perceiving that Mobile DOT was beneficial may have further decreased engagement. Conclusions Mobile DOT shows promise as an effective intervention for some children with SCD. Modifications that may improve recruitment, reduce attrition, and increase engagement were identified and could increase the impact that Mobile DOT has on children with SCD. Trial Registration ClinicalTrials.gov NCT02578017; https://clinicaltrials.gov/ct2/show/NCT02578017

Author(s):  
Susan Creary ◽  
Deena Chisolm ◽  
Joseph Stanek ◽  
Jane Hankins ◽  
Sarah H O'Brien

BACKGROUND Hydroxyurea is a disease-modifying medication for patients with sickle cell disease (SCD). Despite demonstrated efficacy, hydroxyurea nonadherence in clinical practice is common and results in worse health outcomes for nonadherent patients. Mobile Directly Observed Therapy (Mobile DOT) is a pilot-tested, electronic, multidimensional hydroxyurea adherence intervention for children with SCD. Mobile DOT includes sending daily text message reminders to patients to take hydroxyurea, patients recording and sending daily videos that capture their hydroxyurea administrations for the research team to review and track adherence, providing personalized feedback to patients about their adherence, and providing small monetary incentives to patients if they achieve high hydroxyurea adherence. OBJECTIVE This study aimed to determine if Mobile DOT increases hydroxyurea adherence in children with SCD and to explore its impact on hematologic and clinical outcomes. METHODS This was a single-arm, 6-month intervention study of patients with SCD on hydroxyurea who were aged ≤19 years and reported having access to an electronic device. Participants’ hydroxyurea adherence when they received Mobile DOT was compared with their adherence 6 months before and after receiving Mobile DOT. Participants’ medication possession ratio (MPR) was calculated from their pharmacy dispensing records and was used to measure adherence. Laboratory and clinical outcomes were abstracted from participants’ electronic medical records. Infrequently hospitalized patients who received at least 160 days of the intervention were considered to be engaged participants. RESULTS Of 91 patients who were approached, 55 enrolled and 34 engaged with Mobile DOT. The median age of the engaged participants was 10 years (range 2-18.8 years), and 21 (62%, 21/34) participants were male, 28 (82%, 21/34) had hemoglobin SS SCD, and 19 (56%, 19/34) were prescribed hydroxyurea for at least a year before enrollment. With Mobile DOT, engaged participants’ median MPR increased from 61.7% to 84.4% (P<.001) and significantly more (67% vs 30%; P=.002) achieved ≥80% hydroxyurea adherence compared with baseline values. Engaged participants’ mean fetal hemoglobin (HgbF) levels and mean corpuscular volumes (MCV) improved significantly after 6 months of Mobile DOT (P=.04 and P=.001, respectively), but their adherence, HgbF levels, and MCV returned to baseline values during the 6 months after the intervention. Hospitalizations and the clinical outcomes that were measured occurred infrequently during the study. Nonengagement was associated with being female and having a recent SCD complication. In addition, having insufficient electronic data, being unable to quickly complete Mobile DOT each day, and not perceiving that Mobile DOT was beneficial may have further decreased engagement. CONCLUSIONS Mobile DOT shows promise as an effective intervention for some children with SCD. Modifications that may improve recruitment, reduce attrition, and increase engagement were identified and could increase the impact that Mobile DOT has on children with SCD. CLINICALTRIAL ClinicalTrials.gov NCT02578017; https://clinicaltrials.gov/ct2/show/NCT02578017


Blood ◽  
2019 ◽  
Vol 134 (Supplement_1) ◽  
pp. 2106-2106
Author(s):  
Madiha Iqbal ◽  
Tea Reljic ◽  
Ernesto Ayala ◽  
Hemant S. Murthy ◽  
Ambuj Kumar ◽  
...  

Background: Sickle cell disease (SCD) is an inherited hemoglobinopathy which affects over 300,000 children born each year worldwide. In spite of improvement in supportive care in recent years, there is still a lack of effective treatment options. SCD leads to debilitating and cyclic episodes of erythrocyte sickling with progressive organ injury, contributing to lifetime morbidity and shortened life expectancy. Allogeneic HCT (allo-HCT) is a potentially curative therapy for SCD because engraftment is associated with resolution of the clinical phenotype of the disease and abrogation of its complications. Medical literature on allo-HCT for SCD is largely limited to children. Recent studies have evaluated the efficacy of allo-HCT in the adult population. Here, we conduct a systematic review/meta-analysis to assess the totality of evidence pertaining to the efficacy (or lack thereof) of allo-HCT in children and adults. Materials and methods: We performed a comprehensive search of the medical literature using PubMed/Medline, EMBASE and Cochrane library on July 3rd, 2019. We extracted data on clinical outcomes related to benefits (overall [OS] and disease free/event free survival [EFS/DFS]) and harms (non-relapse mortality [NRM] and graft failure [GF]), independently by two authors. Our search strategy identified 1001 references but only 30 studies (n= 1995 patients) were included in this systematic review/meta-analysis. We also performed a sub analysis on clinical outcomes for studies that included only pediatric patients (defined as <18 years) and those in patients ≥18 years of age. Results: Median age for patients enrolled in all the studies was at 10 years. Recurrent veno-occlusive crises represented the most common indication for allo-HCT followed by acute chest syndrome and stroke; nevertheless, most patients had more than one indication. Matched related donors (MRD) were the most common donor source (93%). Bone marrow was the most common source of hematopoietic stem cells (77%). Majority of patients underwent conditioning with myeloablative regimens (77%). Pooled OS rates (n=29 studies, 1681 patients) after allogeneic HCT was 95% (95%CI=93-96%) with low heterogeneity (I2=6.4%) among included studies (Figure 1). Pooled EFS/DFS rates (n=29 studies, 1894 patients) post-allografting was 90% (95%CI=87-93%) with moderate heterogeneity (I2=54%). Pooled NRM rates from 30 studies (1995 patients) was 4% (95%CI=2-6%) with low heterogeneity (I2=29.4%). Pooled GF rates from 28 studies (1851 patients) was 4% (95%CI=2-6%) with moderate heterogeneity (I2=55%). A subset analysis specifically for pediatric patients (n= 11 studies, 1009 patients, median age at 9.7 years) showed a pooled OS rate of 96% (95%CI=94-97%) with low heterogeneity (I2=0%); and for adult patients (n=3 studies, 51 patients, median age at 33.4 years) the pooled OS was 94% (95%CI=80-100%) with moderate heterogeneity (I2=52%). Pooled EFS/DFS for pediatric patients (n= 11 studies, 1009 patients) was at 89 %( 95%CI=84-93%) with moderate heterogeneity (I2=55.1%); and for adult patients (n=2 studies, 30 patients) was at 95% (95%CI=83-100%) with high heterogeneity (I2=96.5%). Pooled NRM from 10 studies with pediatric patients (281 patients) was at 6 % (95%CI=3-10%) with low heterogeneity (I2=0%); and from 3 studies with adult patients (51 patients) was at 1% (95%CI=0-7%) with low heterogeneity (I2=15.1%). Pooled GF from 10 studies with pediatric patients (281 patients) was at 3 % (95%CI=1-7%) with moderate heterogeneity (I2=40%); and from 2 studies with adult patients (30 patients) was at 5% (95%CI=0-17%) with high heterogeneity (I2=95.4%). Conclusions: The results of our systematic review/meta-analysis show excellent OS, EFS/DFS in children and adults undergoing allo-HCT with pooled OS rates exceeding 90%. The main limitation to offering an allo-HCT in SCD remains the availability of a suitable donor as 85% of patients meeting criteria do not have a MRD. We anticipate that with emergence of haploidentical transplantation the number of allo-HCT will increase in the future. GF remains a significant concern in this population and future studies should focus on novel immune suppression strategies to help reduce GF. Disclosures Kharfan-Dabaja: Pharmacyclics: Consultancy; Daiichi Sankyo: Consultancy.


Blood ◽  
2020 ◽  
Vol 136 (Supplement 1) ◽  
pp. 27-28
Author(s):  
Kelly M. Knee ◽  
Amey Barakat ◽  
Lindsay Tomlinson ◽  
Lila Ramaiah ◽  
Zane Wenzel ◽  
...  

Sickle cell disease (SCD) is a severe genetic disorder caused by a mutation in hemoglobin (b6Glu-Val), which allows the mutant hemoglobin to assemble into long polymers when deoxygenated. Over time, these polymers build up and deform red blood cells, leading to hemolytic anemia, vaso-occlusion, and end organ damage. A number of recent therapies for SCD have focused on modulating the mutant hemoglobin directly, however, reduction or elimination of 2,3-DPG to reduce Hb S polymerization and RBC sickling has recently been proposed as a therapeutic strategy for SCD. Current clinical studies focus on activation of pyruvate kinase to reduce 2,3-DPG, however, direct targeting of the enzyme which produces 2,3-DPG; Bisphosphoglycerate Mutase (BPGM) may also be possible. In this study we evaluate the impact of elimination of 2,3-DPG on SCD pathology by complete knockout of BPGM in Townes model mice. Animals with complete knockout of BPGM (BPGM -/-) have no detectable 2,3-DPG, while animals that are heterozygous for BPGM (BPGM -/+) have 2,3-DPG levels comparable to Townes mice. Western Blot analysis confirms that BPGM -/- animals completely lack BPGM, while BPGM -/+ animals have BPGM levels that are nearly equivalent to Townes mice. As expected from the lack of 2,3-DPG, BPGM -/- animals have increased oxygen affinity, observed as a 39% decrease in p50 relative to Townes mice. Complete elimination of 2,3-DPG has significant effects on markers of hemolytic anemia in BPGM -/- mice. Mice lacking 2,3-DPG have a 60% increase in hemoglobin (3.7 g/dL), a 53% increase in red blood cell count, and a 29% increase in hematocrit relative to Townes mice. The BPGM -/- mice also have a 57% decrease in reticulocytes, and a 61% decrease in spleen weight relative to Townes animals, consistent with decreased extramedullary hematopoiesis. Consistent with the reduction in hemolysis, BPGM -/- animals had a 59% reduction in red blood cell sickling under robust hypoxic conditions. BPGM -/+ animals had hemoglobin, RBC, and hematocrit levels that were similar to Townes animals, and a similar degree of RBC sickling to Townes mice. Liver phenotype was similar across all variants, with areas of random necrosis observed in BPGM -/-, BPGM -/+ and Townes mice. Higher percentages of microcytic and/or hyperchromic RBCs were observed in BPGM -/- animals relative to BPGM -/+ or Townes animals. These results suggest that modulation of 2,3-DPG has a positive effect on RBC sickling and hemolytic anemia, which may have therapeutic benefits for SCD patients. However, the lack of improvement in organ damage suggests that modulation of 2,3-DPG alone may not be sufficient for complete elimination of SCD phenotypes, and further investigation of this therapeutic avenue may be necessary. Disclosures No relevant conflicts of interest to declare.


PEDIATRICS ◽  
1989 ◽  
Vol 83 (5) ◽  
pp. 903-905
Author(s):  
Sandra Hernandez

The ultimate objective of newborn screening for sickle cell disease should be twofold. The first essential step is the identification of the infants at risk. This has been effectively done in New York state as of 1975 through the New York State Newborn Screening Program. However, identifying these children is not enough. Second is the much more complicated task of providing comprehensive follow-up care for families whose children are affected by the disease, including the much needed psychosocial services. This area continues to be sorely neglected. The increased risk of death due to overwhelming infection in the first 3 years of life for children with sickle cell disease has been noted in the literature. When there is no specialized care, 15% to 20% do not survive. Therefore, it is essential for knowledgeable staff to make contact and begin to develop a trusting relationship as soon as possible with parents of infants born with sickle cell disease. Prophylactic penicillin and pneumococcal vaccination can reduce mortality during the early years. Family involvement with a consistent, available team of health care providers is pivotal in understanding this chronic illness and coping effectively with this extraordinary stress. Our staff is available by telephone for consultations with patients or other medical staff during clinic and emergency room visits and hospitalizations. One element that is clear in our experience at the St Luke's-Roosevelt Hospital Sickle Cell Center in New York City is that adjustment to this chronic illness is a lifelong process. One or two counseling sessions at the time of diagnosis are not sufficient to enable families to fully understand the information given or to realize the impact of having a child with a chronic illness.


2019 ◽  
Vol 35 (3) ◽  
pp. 236-241
Author(s):  
Sanaa Rizk ◽  
David Axelrod ◽  
Gaye Riddick-Burden ◽  
Elisabeth Congdon-Martin ◽  
Steven McKenzie ◽  
...  

This article demonstrates effects on utilization of a clinical transformation: changing locus of care from a dedicated sickle cell day unit to an approach that “fast-tracks” patients through the emergency department (ED) into an observation unit with 24/7 access. Retrospective quantitative analyses of claims and Epic electronic medical record data for patients with sickle cell disease treated at Thomas Jefferson University (inpatient and ED) assessed effects of the clinical transformation. Additionally, case studies were conducted to confirm and deepen the quantitative analyses. This study was approved by the Thomas Jefferson University Institutional Review Board. The quantitative analyses show significant decreases in ED and inpatient utilization following the transformation. These effects likely were facilitated by increased observation stays. This study demonstrated the impact on utilization of transformation in care (from dedicated day unit to an approach that fast-tracks patients into an observation unit). Additional case studies support the quantitative findings.


2019 ◽  
Vol 24 (1) ◽  
pp. 64-77
Author(s):  
Ramiro Manzano Núñez ◽  
Carlos Andrés Portilla Figueroa ◽  
Herney Andrés García-Perdomo

We conducted a systematic review for evaluating the impact of hydroxyurea and chronic blood transfusion in children with sickle cell disease (SCD). A search was done in four databases from inception to 2017. Trials enrolling pediatric patients with SCD and cerebral vasculopathy with or without previous episode of stroke and that reported outcomes of occurrence of stroke and other events were included. Trained reviewers determined eligibility, risk of bias, and abstracted data. Random-effects meta-analysis was conducted. We found that the primary outcome was the occurrence of stroke. We found two trials that recruited 254 patients. No difference was found for confirmed stroke occurrence (risk difference 0.04 [95% CI: −0.03 to 0.03]) and for new-onset neurological deficit (risk difference 0.11 [95% CI: −0.00 to 0.21]). Transfusions provided a significant lower risk of vaso-occlussive crisis (risk difference 0.10 [95% CI: 0.001 to 0.20]). Finally, transfusions provided a lower risk of having high concentrations of abnormal hemoglobin S (mean difference 37.94 [95% CI: 27.55 to 48.32]). As a conclusion, transfusions plus chelation therapy might be used instead of hydroxyurea in children with SCD. There is a lack of high-quality research in the care of children with SCD, and therefore a call for action is needed.


Author(s):  
Evrosina I. Isaac ◽  
Andrea R. Meisman ◽  
Kirstin Drucker ◽  
Stephanie Violante ◽  
Kathryn L. Behrhorst ◽  
...  

Not only do racial and ethnic minority children and adolescents with chronic illness experience disparities in health status and health outcomes, they also experience significant healthcare disparities, including differences in healthcare coverage, access to care, and quality of care. It is well known that the interaction between psychosocial functioning, health behaviors and ethnic and racial disparities, ultimately leads to worse health and psychosocial outcomes in pediatric and AYA chronic illness patient populations, including increased rates of morbidity and mortality. Investigating the impact of racial and ethnic factors on health outcomes, and strategies for reducing these disparities, is of the utmost importance, specifically in life-threatening conditions like cancer and sickle cell disease. This commentary underscores the relative importance of identifying factors that could reduce disparities between minority and non-minority populations. This present paper will focus on the dynamic relationships between health disparities, psychosocial factors and health outcomes within pediatric cancer, sickle cell disease and bone marrow transplant populations, and will offer recommendations for healthcare professionals working with these vulnerable patient populations. The primary goal of this commentary is to provide recommendations for enhancing cultural competency and humility for those working with highly vulnerable patient populations.


2020 ◽  
Vol 67 (8) ◽  
Author(s):  
Bria J. Hall ◽  
Audra J. Reiter ◽  
Brian R. Englum ◽  
Jennifer A. Rothman ◽  
Henry E. Rice ◽  
...  

2020 ◽  
Vol 154 (5) ◽  
pp. 627-634
Author(s):  
Nicola J Rutherford-Parker ◽  
Sean T Campbell ◽  
Jennifer M Colby ◽  
Zahra Shajani-Yi

Abstract Objectives Voxelotor was recently approved for use in the United States as a treatment for sickle cell disease (SCD) and has been shown to interfere with the quantitation of hemoglobin (Hb) S percentage. This study aimed to determine the effect of voxelotor on the quantitation of hemoglobin variant levels in patients with multiple SCD genotypes. Methods In vitro experiments were performed to assess the impact of voxelotor treatment on hemoglobin variant testing. Whole blood samples were incubated with voxelotor and then analyzed by routinely used quantitative and qualitative clinical laboratory methods (high-performance liquid chromatography [HPLC], capillary zone electrophoresis [CZE], and acid and alkaline electrophoresis). Results Voxelotor modified the α-globin chain of multiple hemoglobins, including HbA, HbS, HbC, HbD-Punjab, HbE, HbA2, and HbF. These voxelotor-hemoglobin complexes prevented accurate quantitation of multiple hemoglobin species, including HbS, by HPLC and CZE. Conclusions Technical limitations in quantifying HbS percentage may preclude the use of HPLC or CZE for monitoring patients treated with voxelotor. Furthermore, it is unclear whether HbS-voxelotor complexes are clinically equivalent to HbS. Consensus guidelines for reporting hemoglobin variant percentages for patients taking voxelotor are needed, as these values are necessary for determining the number of RBC units to exchange in acute situations.


2020 ◽  
Vol 6 (4) ◽  
pp. 00071-2020
Author(s):  
Ilaria Liguoro ◽  
Michele Arigliani ◽  
Bethany Singh ◽  
Lisa Van Geyzel ◽  
Subarna Chakravorty ◽  
...  

Tonsillectomy and adenoidectomy (T&A) is frequently performed in children with sickle cell disease (SCD). Our aim was to evaluate the impact of this surgery on overnight oxygenation and rates of complications in these patients.Children with SCD who underwent T&A between 2008 and 2014 in two tertiary hospitals were retrospectively evaluated. Overnight oximetry and admission rates due to vaso-occlusive pain episodes (VOEs) and acute chest syndrome (ACS) in the year preceding and following the surgery were compared.19 patients (10 males, 53%) with a median age of 6 years (range 3.5–8) were included. A significant increase of mean overnight arterial oxygen saturation measured by pulse oximetry (SpO2) (from 93±3.6% to 95.3±2.8%, p=0.001), nadir SpO2 (from 83.0±7.1% to 88±4.1%, p=0.004) and a reduction of 3% oxygen desaturation index (from a median value of 5.7 to 1.8, p=0.003) were shown. The mean annual rate of ACS decreased from 0.6±1.22 to 0.1±0.2 events per patient-year (p=0.003), while the mean cumulative rate of hospitalisations for all causes and the incidence of VOEs were not affected.T&A improved nocturnal oxygenation and was also associated with a reduction in the incidence of ACS at 1-year follow-up after surgery.


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