# Hemoglobin Sickle-Beta-Thalassemia With an Acute Crisis

## TL;DR

A 45-year-old man with hemoglobin sickle-beta-thalassemia experienced a painful crisis and was treated in Japan, highlighting the growing relevance of this condition due to globalization.

## Contribution

The paper presents a clinical case of HbS/β-thalassemia with acute crisis in a non-endemic region, emphasizing awareness for global healthcare.

## Key findings

- The patient was diagnosed with hemoglobin sickle-beta-thalassemia based on peripheral blood smear findings.
- Treatment with fluid therapy and fentanyl improved symptoms and led to hospital discharge after 12 days.
- The case highlights the importance of recognizing sickle cell disease in non-endemic regions due to globalization.

## Abstract

A 45-year-old Algerian man presented to our hospital in Japan with sudden onset of severe lower back pain. Peripheral blood smear showed target cells, and sickle cells constituting 4% of all erythrocytes, which led to the diagnosis of hemoglobin sickle-beta-thalassemia (HbS/β-thalassemia) with an acute crisis. The patient was hospitalized and treated with fluid therapy, continuous fentanyl infusion for pain management. He was discharged from hospital on Day 12, once the pain and anemia improved. Sickle cell disease is a rare disease in Japan, but with globalization, its incidence may increase in the future. It is important to know about acute painful crisis.