Gender Differences in Sickle Cell Crises: Implications for Genetic Counselling and Psychotherapy

Painless and painful crises are common phenomena in sickle cell crises. People with Sickle Cell Disorder (SCD) do experience both chronic and acute pain throughout life. The painful crisis is unpleasant with wide variation in intensity, quality, duration and persistence. It accounts for over 60% of hospital admissions in any given year of persons affected with SCD. Little attempt has been made to survey gender differences in frequency and intensity of pain as well as types of crises often experience by individuals suffering SCD. Thus researches focusing on gender differences in SCD crises are rear despite the fact the two men often report lower pain thresholds, higher pain ratings, and lower to lerance for pain. Men affected by SCD also experience low nitric oxide. Psychologically, women experienced high level of anxiety over pregnancy related crises. Thus, limited understanding and awareness exists among mental health practitioners on the need for genetic counseling and about the psychotherapeutic management of painful crises in persons affected by SCD. Hence, the need for this research that attempt to examine the differences in crises as well as proffer solutions for the genetic and mental health implications of these disorders.