Morbidity and mortality of sickle cell disease patients starting intermittent haemodialysis: a comparative cohort study with non- Sickle dialysis patients.

We performed a retrospective study to assess the changes in clinical, biological and heart echocardiographic parameters in 32 sickle cell disease (SCD) patients beginning haemodialysis. Acute SCD-related complications were similar at 6 months before and 6 months after the initiation of haemodialysis. Median haemoglobin level did not change significantly, but the need for blood transfusions increased (P < 0·001). The 5-year incidence of death was higher in SCD patients (P < 0·0001). The 5-year likelihood of receiving a renal graft was lower in SCD patients (P = 0·022). Our findings suggest that SCD patients have poorer survival and a lower likelihood of receiving a renal graft.