Sickle cell anemia in Germany. An "exotic disease" found in every day practice

Sickle cell anemia is a hereditary hemoglobinopathy characterized by chronic hemolysis, increased infections and recurring vasoocclusions which can cause acute and chronic damage to all organs. As of May 2006, there are probably 1,000 sickle cell patients living in Germany: migrants from the Mediterranean area, the Middle East, Africa and Asia. As there is no neonatal screening for this disease in Germany, patients are diagnosed by mere chance if they happen to be found to have hemolytic anemia, recurrent pain or pneumonia or one of the severe complications caused by the disease. Diagnosis is made by hemoglobin analysis. Providing optimal care for patients with such a complex disease requires a great deal of knowledge and experience that cannot be acquired by each individual physician in Germany. A sickle cell information centre is therefore indispensable for providing physicians with up to date management guidelines and for consultation when complications arise.