Background: Sickle cell disease (SCD) affects about 100,000 people in the US. The disease causes significant mortality, morbidity and frequent hospitalizations secondary to primary manifestations of the disease and its complications. We conducted a retrospective, single institution study in adult patients (pts), ≥ 18 years with SCD to assess factors associated with health care utilization [...]

Background: Multiple professional societies recommend red blood cell transfusions for hospitalized patients based on the presence of symptoms of anemia, like fatigue. These recommendations endorse the idea that the severity of anemia symptoms are due to a patient’s nadir or reduced hemoglobin (Hb) concentration, and that correcting the Hb concentration with a transfusion will improve [...]

Background: Warfarin is commonly used in long-term anticoagulation and has a narrow therapeutic index. Dosing is dependent on intrinsic patient variables including cytochrome P450 2C9 (CYP2C9) and VKORC1 polymorphisms. High protein binding and CYP-dependent clearance mechanisms of NSAIDs also affect warfarin serum levels. This study investigates the observed pharmacologic interaction of concurrent NSAID and warfarin [...]