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@article{185328,
        author = {Atul Desai and Kavita Desai and Dnyanada Pandit and Anup Thakar},
        title = {The Diagnostic and Therapeutic Labyrinth: A Case Study and Review of Coexistent Sickle Cell Disease and Rheumatoid Arthritis},
        journal = {International Journal of Innovative Research in Technology},
        year = {2025},
        volume = {12},
        number = {5},
        pages = {917-922},
        issn = {2349-6002},
        url = {https://ijirt.org/article?manuscript=185328},
        abstract = {The coexistence of sickle cell disease (SCD) and rheumatoid arthritis (RA) presents a significant diagnostic and therapeutic challenge due to overlapping clinical features, primarily musculoskeletal pain. SCD, a hereditary hemoglobinopathy, is characterized by vaso-occlusive crises (VOCs) causing severe ischemic pain, while RA is a systemic autoimmune disease defined by chronic, erosive polyarthritis. Misattributing RA symptoms to SCD can delay diagnosis and treatment, leading to irreversible joint damage. This manuscript presents a composite case study of a patient with both conditions to illustrate the complex diagnostic pathway. We review the key clinical, serological, and radiological features that differentiate RA-related arthropathy from SCD-related bone pain. Specifically, we highlight the critical role of autoantibodies, such as anti-cyclic citrullinated peptide (anti-CCP), which maintain high specificity for RA even in the context of SCD's chronic inflammatory state. We discuss the therapeutic intricacies, including the risks of triggering VOCs with certain immunosuppressants and the need for a multidisciplinary management approach. Furthermore, we explore the Ayurvedic perspective, viewing SCD as Sahaj Pandu and RA as Aamavata, and discuss potential integrative treatments like the herbo-mineral formulation AYU-HM Premium and the use of Acupen to manage inflammation and pain from a holistic standpoint. This manuscript underscores the necessity of maintaining a high index of suspicion for concomitant autoimmune diseases in SCD patients with atypical or persistent arthralgia to ensure timely diagnosis and optimize patient outcomes.},
        keywords = {Sickle Cell Disease (SCD), Rheumatoid arthritis (RA), Vaso-occlusive crises (VOC), Anti-cyclic citrullinated peptide (anti-CCP, Autoimmunity; Integrative therapy, AYU-HM Premium, Acupen, Aamavata, Sahaj Pandu, Multidisciplinary management.},
        month = {October},
        }