Use of Technology in Remote Monitoring and Pain Management for Patients with Sickle Cell Disease

Sickle Cell Disease (SCD) is a chronic illness disproportionately afflicting, in the US, African Americans. SCD is genetic, degenerative and characterized by episodic pain events, often requiring medical intervention, including hospitalization. The purpose of this proposed study is to examine the associations between remotely acquired measurements using information technology and the incidences of these pain events. Specifically, electronically Patient-Reported Outcomes (ePRO) and Actigraphy (AG) devices will be utilized for randomly selected patients (against a control group) to garner remotely survey-type information, including perceived pain levels; and activity measures, including movement, sleep and location information. The discovered associations between gathered measures and VOC events could lead to more effective treatment modes, through either telemedical intervention or more timely traditional treatments. Patient satisfaction, quality-of-life improvements and possibly reduced costs are additional possible benefits of the use of these information technologies in this clinical setting.