An Introduction to Sickle Cell Ulcers

Let’s look at the relatively uncommon but extremely debilitating issue of sickle cell ulcers.

Sickle cell ulcers are a common manifestation of sickle cell disease, which is itself an inherited, genetic disorder of the oxygen-carrying hemoglobin in red blood cells.

Sickle Cell Ulcer Statistics

Sickle cell disease is particularly common among people whose ancestors come from sub-Saharan Africa, India, Saudi Arabia and Mediterranean countries. Migration from these countries has raised the frequency of the gene in the American continent.(1)  A study of more than 3.3 million infant screenings in California between 1990 and 1996 showed a prevalence of sickle cell disease of 1 per 396 among black people; 1 per 36,000 among Hispanics; and 1 per 123,000 among white people.(2)

Vaso-Occlusive Crisis

The most common manifestation of sickle cell disease is vaso-occlusive crisis, in which an individual experiences a sudden onset of pain which lasts for several hours to several days, and which can end as quickly as it began. A number of other debilitating symptoms are associated with sickle cell disease, but it is the leg ulcer which is of particular concern to wound care specialists. Sickle cell leg ulcers result from minor injury to the area around the malleoli. Because of relatively poor circulation, compounded by sickling and microinfarcts, healing is delayed and infection becomes established.(3)

Prevalence of Sickle Cell Ulcers

The prevalence of leg ulceration in sickle cell disease varies according to genotype and age of the patient, however, the resulting pain in afflicted patients can be severe or even excruciating. In most patients, opioid analgesics are needed to achieve some pain relief.

Next week we will look at the underlying pathophysiology of sickle cell ulcers, and the following week will be devoted to strategies to manage the condition.

If you are interested in studying sickle cell ulcers and other unusual wound presentations in greater depth, you may wish to consider pursuing some form of ongoing professional development. A certification in wound care provides the opportunity to study certain issues in more detail, while also improving your own career prospects.

Learn More About Sickle Cell Ulcers

Sickle Cell Ulcers: Classification and Clinical Features

Management of Sickle Cell Ulcers

Sickle Cell Ulcers: Summary

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References

1. World Health Organization, 59th World Health Assembly. Sickle-cell anaemia – report by the Secretariat. 24 April 2006 (Available from www.who.int/gb/ebwha/pdf_files/WHA59/A59_9-en.pdf).
2. Lorey FW, Arnopp J, Cunningham GC. Distribution of hemoglobinopathy variants by ethnicity in a multiethnic state. Genet Epidemiol. 1996; 13:510-512.
3. Arnold JL. Sickle Cell Anemia Clinical Presentation. Medscape. 2011 (Available from emedicine.medscape.com/article/205926-overview).