Hydroxyurea use among children with sickle cell anemia. Issue 6 (22nd March 2019)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Reeves, Sarah L.; Jary, Hannah K.; Gondhi, Jennifer P.; Raphael, Jean L.; Lisabeth, Lynda D.; Dombkowski, Kevin J.
• Is Part Of: Pediatric blood & cancer. Volume 66:Issue 6(2019)
• Page Start: n/a
• Page End: n/a
• Publication Date: 2019-03-22
• Subjects: administrative claims -- hydroxyurea -- Medicaid -- sickle cell anemia; Tumors in children -- Periodicals; Blood -- Diseases -- Periodicals; Cancer in children -- Periodicals; 618.92
• DOI: 10.1002/pbc.27721
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 1545-5009

Abstract

Abstract: This study describes hydroxyurea use among children ages 1 to 17 with sickle cell anemia (SCA) enrolled in at least one year of Medicaid in six states from 2005 to 2012. Administrative claims were used to summarize the number of days' supply of hydroxyurea dispensed by state and year. A total of 7963 children with SCA contributed 22 424 person‐years. Among person‐years with greater than 30 days of hydroxyurea, only 18% received at least 300 days of hydroxyurea, which varied by state. Following updated recommendations for all children with SCA to be offered hydroxyurea, strategies to increase hydroxyurea adherence among this population are needed.