ASCP Specialist in Hematology (SH) Practice Exam 2025 - Free Hematology Specialist Practice Questions and Study Guide

In sickle cell disease, patients frequently experience pain due to vaso-occlusive crises. This condition occurs when sickle-shaped red blood cells obstruct small blood vessels, leading to a decrease in blood flow and oxygen delivery to tissues. This ischemic event causes significant pain, often referred to as a "crisis," as it can affect various parts of the body, including bones, joints, and organs.

The pathophysiology behind this pain involves the sickling of red blood cells under low oxygen conditions, which encourages further blockages and creates a cycle of pain and tissue damage. This acute pain is a hallmark of sickle cell disease and can vary in severity, duration, and frequency among patients.

While hemolytic anemia, infection, and aplastic crisis can also be present in patients with sickle cell disease, they do not directly correlate with the spontaneous episodes of pain that characterize vaso-occlusive crises, making the latter the most relevant association regarding the complaints of pain.