As they shift from pediatric to adult care, young adults with sickle cell disease (SCD) appear to visit the emergency room more often and be prescribed less hydroxyurea, a preventive treatment approved to reduce the frequency of painful crises, according to a study in the U.S.
Data also showed that patients ages 26 to 33 years were prescribed a significantly higher number of opioids — strong analgesics used during painful crises — than those ages 16 to 20 years. This trend was particularly pronounced among young adults with moderate to severe symptoms of anxiety.
“This work can help to inform clinic practices around measuring and tracking transition by including such measures as a part of standard clinical workflow to assist in preparing AYA [adolescents and young adults] for transition,” researchers wrote.