This study is a prospective, clinical/translational research pilot study using a web-based, daily survey. Pain in adults with sickle cell disease (SCD) is unique in that patients often experience acute and chronic pain simultaneously. Numerical rating scales are often unhelpful in the measurement of this type of pain as patients tend to report high pain scores despite noted variations in functional ability. This pattern of functional improvement with continued report of high pain intensity scores is common in patients with recurrent and chronic pain. A functional assessment tool that can reflect functional changes over brief time periods (days) is necessary to 1) allow for the examination of the impact of acute pain on usual function, 2) investigate the extent to which acute pain symptoms create a burden for patients and caretakers, 3) use as an outcome measure that would allow for objective measurement of changes in functioning as the result of acute pain interventions, and 4) study individual differences in functioning within specific patient groups. We have previously developed the YAPFAQ, a measure of acute functional ability in youth with sickle cell disease. No tool for measurement of daily functional ability in adults with SCD exists. The aim of this project is to provide preliminary data on item content for an adult acute functional ability tool, while examining the impact of other variables such as pain, mood and sleep on daily function in individuals with SCD. We propose to complete a pilot study of 40 adults between the ages of 21-40 years with SCD. Each adult will access an online survey daily for 30 days to report 20-30 items regarding their functional ability, sleep, mood and pain. Participants will access the daily survey through any standard web-browser using REDCap and complete the survey between 6pm-10pm each day.
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