Quantifying the life expectancy gap for people living with sickle cell disease

Sickle cell disease (SCD) is the most common inherited red blood cell disorder in the United States, affecting an estimated 1,00,000 people. According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), sickle cell disease affects one out of every 365 Black or African American births and one out of every 16,300 Hispanic American births.

A new study published in Blood Advances finds that the average life expectancy of publicly insured patients living with sickle cell disease is roughly 52 years. In contrast, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention reports that the average life expectancy in the United States is 73.5 years for men and 79.3 years for women, demonstrating the considerable burden sickle cell disease can have on affected populations.

The study included 94,616 individuals with SCD. Authors reported that 5% of participants had Medicare Old-Age and Survivors Insurance Trust Fund (OASI), 4% had Medicare for disability or end-stage renal disease coverage, 48% had Medicaid, and 43% were dually eligible for Medicare and Medicaid. Of the study population, 74% were Black. Investigators confirmed death dates using death certificates provided by the National Death Index.

However, the study also found that those insured by Medicare for disabilities or end-stage renal disease and those dually insured by Medicare and Medicaid had significantly worse survival outcomes among the populations studied, with an average lifespan of 51.1 years at birth.

The authors highlighted that the study demonstrates a persistent life expectancy gap among individuals with sickle cell disease, even though they are covered by public insurance. Differences in life expectancies of individuals with sickle cell disease across different public insurances most likely reflect the differential burden of comorbidities.

Reference:

Quantifying the life expectancy gap for people living with sickle cell disease; AMERICAN SOCIETY OF HEMATOLOGY;Blood