Home management of pain crises of sickle cell disease in Togo

Background. - Many people with sickle cell disease manage their pain crises at home. This study air,ls to describe the home management of sickle cell pain by Togalese patients; Patients and methods. - From July 1996 to April 1997, parents elf children with sickle cell disease, and some adults with sickle cell disease living i n rural and urban regions were interviewed about their home treatment habit s during pain crises. Results. - A total of 165 patients with sickle cell disease (82 front urban and 83 from rural areas) were selected. The techniques most frequently use d for pain management included salicylates (61.8%), paracetamol (37%), non- steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (15.1%), vasodilators and pentoxifylline (5.4%). Only 4.2% of the patients mentioned adequate hydration. None used o ther antalgics (weak or strong opium derivatives). No difference as noticed between the treatment habits of rural regions and those of urban regions. Conclusion. - In order to improve the quality of life of patients with sick le cell disease, information and awareness programs must be organized in or der to establish a standard home pain management. Emphasis must be put an t he use of salicylates and paracetamol at the correct dosage, the intake of abundant fluids, the easy use of analgesic of the the second step of the Wo rd Health Organization, and the systematic treatment of malaria which can i nduce pain crises. (C) 1999 Elsevier, Paris.