Abstract

Background: Sickle cell disease is an inherited disorder with a relatively significant prevalence in the kingdom of Saudi Arabia. The management of the condition necessitates compliance to certain guidelines. Our study aims to assess the approach of emergency departments physicians in Saudi hospitals to the presentation of Vaso-occlusive crisis.

Methods: A cross-sectional descriptive study, in Saudi Arabia, through a period of three months, starting from 15^th of December 2020 to 15^th of March 2021. The data were obtained using a predesigned online questionnaire sheet. Approvals from Ethics and Scientific Committees (UB-RES-2020-0052) of Batterjee Medical College were obtained before the conduction of the study.

Results: Majority of the Emergency department physicians stated that they approached the management of sickle cell patients presenting with painful episodes initially by physical examination 51 (34.2%). Preferred first step for the majority 86 (57.7%) was the administration of intravenous fluids for the aim of maintaining good hydration. 61 (40.9%) stated that they preferred instant administration of analgesia. The most common analgesic administered was morphine 97 (65%).

Conclusion: In our study we found that opioids as morphine are prescribed at an increased rate. Despite the adverse effects being known, especially tolerance, prescription of morphine remains to dominate. We recommend further assessment of parameters to enhance pain assessment in terms of reliability.

Keywords: Anemia; Sickle Cell Disease; Saudi Arabia; Emergency Physician; Vaso-Occlusive Crisis

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