Hematology Disease Topics & Pathways:
Research, Sickle Cell Disease, clinical trials, Clinical Practice (Health Services and Quality), Sickle Cell Trait, epidemiology, Clinical Research, Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion (DEI) , Hemoglobinopathies, Diseases, patient-reported outcomes, registries, Maternal Health
Description:
Reproductive and sexual health challenges associated with sickle cell disease (SCD) are common but under-recognized morbidities. Both males and females with SCD suffer from the disease- or therapy-related challenges impacting negatively on their reproductive and sexual health. Priapism, otherwise rare in the general population, is common among adolescent and adult males with SCD with attendant sequelae of erectile and sexual dysfunctions. Treatment with a disease-modifying agent, hydroxyurea, potentially damages the gonads (testes and ovaries) and could result in infertility. Both SCD and hydroxyurea therapy could damage ovaries, resulting in diminished ovarian reserve and infertility. Curative treatments such as stem cell transplants and gene therapy also pose a significant risk of infertility to both males and females. These challenges have made decision-making on fertility choices difficult for the affected individuals.
In this educational session, we will discuss the epidemiology and trends in the management of priapism. We will elaborate on fertility challenges affecting individuals, most especially females, with SCD and provide a template of strategies for engaging patients and their families to guide them in making an informed decision about their treatment choices, mainly as they affect fertility.
Dr. Ibrahim Idris will review the clinical epidemiology of priapism and treatments of priapism. He will highlight the burden of priapism and associated mental duress among affected individuals. An aspect of his talk will address priapism treatment gaps and the role of chronic morning dosing with phosphodiesterase type 5 (PDE-5) inhibitors in the secondary prevention of priapism. He will highlight a new therapy with the potential to prevent priapism recurrence.
Women with sickle cell disease have complex preconception care needs and at least some have infertility risk factors. Using a case-based approach, Dr. Pecker will address preconception care needs, measures of ovarian reserve and the role of assisted reproductive technologies in the contemporary care of adult women with sickle cell disease.
Dr. Lillian Meacham will dive into the unusually explored territory of decision-making in a pediatric setting regarding uncomfortable issues like gonadal and sexual health. Her talk will demonstrate how and when to communicate sensitive topics in clinic settings. She will explain the type of topics to be handled by the hematologist in a regular clinic visit and the sensitive issues requiring a referral to fertility specialists, especially when a decision to offer treatments that are potentially damaging to the gonads is on the table. The engaging talk will highlight the teaching tools available to ease this communication between providers and patients.
In this educational session, we will discuss the epidemiology and trends in the management of priapism. We will elaborate on fertility challenges affecting individuals, most especially females, with SCD and provide a template of strategies for engaging patients and their families to guide them in making an informed decision about their treatment choices, mainly as they affect fertility.
Dr. Ibrahim Idris will review the clinical epidemiology of priapism and treatments of priapism. He will highlight the burden of priapism and associated mental duress among affected individuals. An aspect of his talk will address priapism treatment gaps and the role of chronic morning dosing with phosphodiesterase type 5 (PDE-5) inhibitors in the secondary prevention of priapism. He will highlight a new therapy with the potential to prevent priapism recurrence.
Women with sickle cell disease have complex preconception care needs and at least some have infertility risk factors. Using a case-based approach, Dr. Pecker will address preconception care needs, measures of ovarian reserve and the role of assisted reproductive technologies in the contemporary care of adult women with sickle cell disease.
Dr. Lillian Meacham will dive into the unusually explored territory of decision-making in a pediatric setting regarding uncomfortable issues like gonadal and sexual health. Her talk will demonstrate how and when to communicate sensitive topics in clinic settings. She will explain the type of topics to be handled by the hematologist in a regular clinic visit and the sensitive issues requiring a referral to fertility specialists, especially when a decision to offer treatments that are potentially damaging to the gonads is on the table. The engaging talk will highlight the teaching tools available to ease this communication between providers and patients.