Demands and challenges for patients with sickle‐cell disease requiring hematopoietic stem cell transplantation in Saudi Arabia

Abstract

Allogeneic HSCT is the only curative treatment for SCD. In this study, we estimated the number of Saudi patients with SCD who are candidates for HSCT. We used the presence of overt stroke, recurrent ACS, and frequent severe pain crisis as indications for HSCT. We calculated the frequencies of these complications among a Saudi SCD cohort of 376 patients with SCD, 250 from SW and 126 from Eastern (E) provinces. We found that 59 (23.6%) of SW patients were transplant candidates compared to 22 (17.4%) from E province. It is estimated that about 61 000 patients with SCD live in Saudi Arabia. Thus, the projected number of Saudi patients with SCD who are candidates for HSCT is 10 536 patients. Of those, 2148 are children. The burden of SCD on HSCT centers in Saudi Arabia is substantial and is difficult currently to meet the demand. We recommend recruiting/training more transplant physicians and nurses, expand current capacity of centers if feasible, and open new transplant centers to make HSCT a practical therapeutic option for patients with severe SCD in Saudi Arabia.

Knowledge and attitude towards hematopoietic stem cell transplantation among medical students at Jazan University, Saudi Arabia

“…The restricted number of transplant centers in KSA cannot meet this huge demand at the present time. 11 The individuals' knowledge and attitudes toward organ donation were found to be significantly associated with their intention to being registered as organ donors. On the other hand, medical students were considered important sources of correct information or misinformation to the general population and they can influence the general population attitudes regarding organ donation, therefore studies about medical students' knowledge and attitudes are of great importance.…”

The Power of Options: The Solution for Healthier Society and Better Economy

“…And the newspaper claimed that there is more than 25 thousand person suffer from G6PD anemia and more than 24 thousand suffer from sickle cell anemia, which cost the government more than 75 million R.S every year (Alsultan, 2016). And the percentage of people suffering from sickle cell anima in AL-Ahsa raised to 30% (Alsultan, 2016).…”

“…In addition, the number of people affected with sickle cell anemia in Eastern and southern Provinces is significant and more common than the rest (Alsultan, 2016).…”

“…And the percentage of people suffering from sickle cell anima in AL-Ahsa raised to 30% (Alsultan, 2016). Preimplantation Genetic Profiling 10 29…”

“…And we have currently in Saudi Arabia some regions suffering from inherited Hemophilia cases especially in the south and east regions (Noble, 2008). And the reason we chose to talk about it is because many studies been in 2013, claiming that there is 2000 affected person in Saudi Arabia and it is costing the Saudi Ministry of Health 5 million R.S each year (Penning, 2003;Alsultan, 2016). And if we put using PGD in our minds in some of these cases as an option for treatment by gender selection or choosing best embryo it may give an end for this disease prevalence.…”