Pain

Clinical Trials

UPMC Presbyterian Hospital is an enrollment site led by Dr. Laura De Castro for the trial of rivipansel during vaso-occlusive pain crisis. [NCT02187003]

Some patients are also eligible to receive rivipansel for repeated episodes of pain over time. [NCT02433158]

Innovative Technology

Dr. Charles Jonassaint is leading a study of a new tablet-based Painimation technology for describing and rating pain using video images.

Read the Expressive Painmation brochure.

Read more about technology in SCD research.

New Discovery

Pitt researchers have found a gene that appears to affect pain thresholds in patients with SCD.

Belfer I, Youngblood V, Darbari DS, Wang Z, DIaw L, Freeman L, Desai K, Dizon M, Allen D, Cunnington C, Channon KM, Milton J, Hartley SW, Nolan V, Kato GJ, Steinberg MH, Goldman D, Taylor JG 6th. (2014). A GCH1 haplotype confers sex-specific susceptibility to pain crises and altered endothelial function in adults with sickle cell anemia. Am J Hematol. 89(2):187-93. PMID: 24136375. PMCID:PMC4281092. DOI: 10.1002/ajh.23613.