Participate

The purpose of the research study is to find out how to reduce complications and death in adult patients with sickle cell disease (SCD). This will be done by comparing two treatment approaches for patients with SCD: usual care and usual care plus regular exchange blood transfusions.

If you meet all the study entry requirements and choose to join the study, you will be randomly assigned (by chance; like the flip of a coin) to one of the two study groups. It is expected that about half of the participants will be assigned to each group.

Group 1 (Control Group):

Participants assigned to this group will get the usual care for SCD. This may include medications that you are already taking or your doctor prescribes for you, such as Hydroxyurea (HU), an oral medicine that has been shown to reduce or prevent several SCD complications, and treatments to prevent complications such as anemia, pain crisis, infections, chest pain, or stroke. It is possible that your doctor may order a blood transfusion at some point during your care.

Group 2 (Intervention Group):

Participants assigned to this group will get the above usual care for patients with SCD, plus exchange blood transfusion every 3-6 weeks for 12 months plus the usual care for patients with SCD. An exchange blood transfusion is a procedure that involves slowly removing blood from the person with SCD and replacing it with blood from a person without SCD. Donated blood cells are carefully tested for infections and closely matched to your blood type to prevent reactions.

All participants will be seen in clinic every month for clinical assessments for a total of 13 months.

The Sickle Cell Disease and Cardiovascular Risk—Red Cell Exchange (SCD-CARRE) trial will soon be looking for volunteers to participate. You may be eligible for this study if you:

1. Are age 18 years or older
2. Have a diagnosis of sickle cell disease

If you are interested in participating in the SCD-CARRE Trial, please use the map below to find the nearest site and contact information. If you do not see a location near you, please check back often as we will be adding new sites.