Managing the acute painful episode in sickle cell disease

Abstract

Sickle cell pain is a complex but frequently experienced symptom. Acute painful events in children can be managed effectively in the community with appropriate support and education. If hospital management is required, rapid access to a consistent, reliable and safe analgesic pathway is recommended to ensure a good standard of care. Use of oral opiates in addition to short acting easily administrable forms of analgesia and strict adherence to protocoled monitoring will enable the acute event to be well managed and the negative pain experience minimised. An important part of the outpatient evaluation is determining the impact pain events are having on the child’s quality of life. Addressing psycho-social aspects, defining and modifying precipitating factors, if any are identified, and having a holistic approach to pain management is helpful. Education and use of self-management techniques can also be productive. Use of sickle modifying interventions such as hydroxycarbamide therapy or transfusion therapy can have a significant impact on reducing the severity and frequency of the acute pain event. 镰状细胞疼痛是一种复杂的常发症。 通过适当的支助和教育，儿童急性疼痛症可以得到有效抑制。 如果需要在医院进行护理，患者应尽快寻求持续可靠且安全的止痛方式，确保良好的护理。 除采取作用短、管理方便的止痛治疗和遵守监测协议之外，患者还需口服鸦片剂，这样，急性症状可以得到良好的抑制，还可尽量减轻疼痛感。 诊断门诊病人一个重要的部分就是确定疼痛症对患儿生活质量产生的影响。 问询生理社会方面问题，确定和修改诱发因子（如有），并整体分析可行的疼痛护理方法。 教育和使用个人护理法也很有效果。 采用镰状细胞修改干预法，例如羟基尿素疗法或输液疗法，对减轻急性疼痛症和减少发作频率有着显著效果。

Keywords

• sickle disease, pain.