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Rheumatic Manifestations of Haemoglobinopathies

  • Orphan Diseases (B Manger, Section Editor)
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Abstract

Purpose of the Review

To provide a clinically useful literature review on the rheumatic manifestations of haemoglobinopathies, critically analysing the literature from the past 5 years.

Recent Findings

There are limited new data to guide the management of rheumatic manifestations of haemoglobinopathies. Data further confirm the wide spectrum of potential rheumatic/MSK involvement in haemoglobinopathies, which poses both a diagnostic and therapeutic challenge. Inflammatory arthritis may be more common than previously believed. Steroid therapy by any route of administration can provocate a potential life-threatening vaso-occlusive crisis. Vitamin D deficiency is common. There are limited data to guide the drug treatment of reduced bone density in haemoglobinopathies. There have been a number of studies examining pain in sickle cell anaemia. Plasma levels of Klotho may represent a novel biomarker in patients with β-Thalassemia.

Summary

There are little new data on the rheumatic manifestations in haemoglobinopathies and future high-quality research is needed.

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Acknowledgments

The author would like to thank Professor David Rees, Dr. Qasim Akram, and Dr. Mohanned Mustafa for their assistance in producing the tables and figure.

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  1. Department of Rheumatology, Sheffield Teaching Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust, Royal Hallamshire Hospital, S10 2JF, Sheffield, UK

    Michael Hughes

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Correspondence to Michael Hughes.

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Hughes, M. Rheumatic Manifestations of Haemoglobinopathies. Curr Rheumatol Rep 20, 61 (2018). https://doi.org/10.1007/s11926-018-0768-7

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