Sr. Research Scientist Virginia Commonwealth University Virginia Commonwealth University Richmond, Virginia, United States
Learning Objectives:
Describe the multidimensional nature of pain in sickle cell disease, including clinical presentations and mechanistic subtypes such as nociceptive, neuropathic, and nociplastic pain.
Explain how chronic pain in SCD impacts brain structure, cognitive function, and quality of life, using insights from neuroimaging and real-world patient data.
Identify key gaps in current care models and articulate the need to shift from episodic, crisis-based pain treatment to a proactive, whole-person chronic care approach.
