Steroid Medications Pose Dangers for Those with Sickle Cell

A review of data on more than 5,100 patients with sickle cell disease found that patients given oral corticosteroids were more likely to be hospitalized for a vaso-occlusive episode, a condition that can cause intense pain and irreversible organ damage. Research leader Dr. Ondine Walter adds, “Vaso-occlusive events and related hospitalization appear to follow corticosteroid prescription fairly quickly… This evidence suggests corticosteroids may be contributing to the events and should be avoided as much as possible in these patients.” Blood, April 2022