American journal of hematology
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The acute sickle cell painful episode is the most common cause of hospitalization of patients with sickle cell anemia. Its detailed clinical features and peri-discharge features are not well known. In order to determine the actual pattern of hospital admissions of patients with SS and the causes of frequent hospital readmissions and their prognostic significance, we conducted a prospective longitudinal and observation cohort study of all adult patients with sickle cell anemia admitted to Thomas Jefferson University Hospital between January 1998 and December 2002. ⋯ This study shows that hospital readmission of adult patients with sickle cell anemia is common. It suggests that improvement is needed in the management of pain during hospitalization and at home after discharge. Patients who are readmitted frequently within 1 week of discharge have poor prognosis and require careful monitoring.