Priapism is a common complication of sickle cell disease (SCD). Its tr
ue frequency in Saudi patients is not known. We interviewed 174 male p
atients or parents of young SCD patients attending sickle cell clinics
at our hospital, in an attempt to estimate the frequency of this comp
lication. Of these patients 105 were children and 69 were adults. Hist
ory of at least one episode of priapism was obtained from 32 patients
(18.4%). This is a much higher frequency than previously reported from
the Eastern Province of Saudi Arabia. The previously reported low fre
quency may have been due to cultural factors or to overlooking the dia
gnosis at presentation.