Difference Between Sickle Cell Anaemia and Sickle Cell Disease
Sickle Cell Anaemia vs. Sickle Cell Disease: What’s the Difference?
People carrying a single copy of haemoglobin S (HbS), a genetic variant, experience sickle cell trait. Normally, these individuals do not encounter any symptoms. However, if someone has two copies of haemoglobin S, they develop sickle cell anaemia.
What Differs Sickle Cell Anaemia (SCA) From Sickle Cell Disease (SCD)?
Sickle cell disease is a form of inherited blood disease. On the other hand, sickle cell anaemia happens to be a subcategory of the sickle disease comprising the two most dangerous forms: sickle beta thalassemia and homozygous sickle disease.
Other distinguishing factors are given below:
| Features | Sickle Cell Anaemia | Sickle Cell Disease |
| Prevalence | As per reports, SCA is the most common and classic form of sickle cell disease. | Conversely, sickle cell disease is an umbrella term for a specific group of blood diseases. Sickle cell anaemia is the most common subtype of SCD. |
| Severity | Normally, SCA is the most fatal form of sickle cell disease. | For all sickle cell diseases, the severity tends to vary based on the particular genetic type. |
| Symptoms | A few common symptoms include chronic anaemia, increased infection risk, organ damage and pain throughout the body. | Different sickle cell diseases may have similar signs. However, the frequency of outbreaks and severity will differ. |
| Diagnosis | Haemoglobin electrophoresis shows HbSS levels in the blood. | During diagnosis, electrophoresis can help discover several abnormal haemoglobins, such as HbSC, HbSS, HbS/β-thalassemia, etc. |
Can Someone Develop Sickle Cell Trait Without SCA?
Yes, an individual who develops sickle cell trait does not suffer from sickle cell anaemia (as per medical terms). Patients diagnosed with sickle cell trait have one copy of HbS, the gene responsible for haemoglobin production. In their case, the other gene, HbA, generates a healthy RBC. It clearly indicates that these people cannot develop any type of SCD.
What Causes Sickle Cell Anaemia?
Humans develop sickle cell anaemia when they inherit genetic alterations affecting the HBB gene. It hampers haemoglobin production as the HBB gene is mostly responsible for making beta-globin, an integral component of the haemoglobin protein.
A child can be born with SCA in case they receive inherited traits from both of their parents. Whereas, other types of sickle cell disease happen when one inherits 2 distinct mutated genes, each collected from both parents.
What are the Complications of Sickle Cell Anaemia?
Sometimes the complications from sickle cell anaemia can be fatal. For instance, those experiencing brief periods of illness often have to visit the hospital for emergency care. Additionally, they may be treated for conditions like acute chest syndrome.
Some additional complications can be:
- Chronic kidney disease
- Detached retinas
- Stroke
- Priapism (painful erections)
Healthcare providers normally diagnose the disease by conducting physical examinations. They will assess your symptoms before arriving at treatment. Doctors mainly go with an allogeneic stem cell transplant to permanently cure sickle cell anaemia. Some other possible treatments can be antibiotics, blood transfusions and other similar medications.
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