Objective:

To understand patients’ current pharmacologic and non-pharmacologic SCD management practices and explore their perspectives on pain related to SCD.

Approach:

• Participants: Thirty-four participants were interviewed using a semi-structured format.
• Data Analysis: Audio-recorded interviews were transcribed, and descriptive statistics and qualitative analyses were performed.

Key Findings:

• 81.8% (23/28) of participants identified a relationship between stress and pain.
• 60.9% (17/28) preferred peer moderators to co-lead pain management interventions.
• 85.7% (24/28) preferred a fully in-person or hybrid intervention.
• Participants described various pain types including severe bone pain, sharp and shooting pain, and throbbing and aching body-wide pain.

Interpretation:

Patients with SCD utilize various non-pharmacologic methods for pain relief.

Limitations:

• The study's sample size was limited to 34 participants.
• One interview was excluded due to incomplete audio-recording.

Conclusion:

Patients expressed interest in participating in group interventions for chronic pain related to SCD.