Sickle Cell Disease Epidemiology

Key Highlights

• In 2023, the United States accounted for the highest number of total prevalent cases of SCD trait with approximately 54% cases found in the 6MM.
• The prevalence of SCD cases was found to be high and rapidly increasing in the 6MM countries. However, in Japan, SCD is rare due to Japan's homogeneous population, which makes it less likely for the genetic mutations that cause SCD to be passed down.
• In 2023, the highest number of diagnosed cases of SCD among the EU4 and the UK was in France, while the lowest number of cases was in Spain. Among the EU4 and the UK, France accounted for approximately 51% of diagnosed prevalent cases of SCD.
• It was observed that sickle cell disease was most prevalent in the 18-44 years age group. In 2023, the age-specific prevalence of SCD in the US for this group was around 48,000 cases.
• In 2023, the US accounted for around 123,000 total prevalent cases of sickle cell disease, the highest among the 6MM.
• The diagnosis of SCD involves newborn screening to detect abnormal hemoglobin variants, with confirmation through hemoglobin electrophoresis, genetic testing, and peripheral blood smear analysis. Complete blood count (CBC) and family history are also considered to determine the presence and type of SCD.

DelveInsight’s “Sickle Cell Disease (SCD) – Epidemiology Forecast – 2034” report delivers an in-depth understanding of Sickle Cell Disease, historical and forecasted epidemiology in the United States, EU4 (Germany, France, Italy, and Spain) and the United Kingdom, and Japan.

The table given below further depicts the key segments provided in the report:

Sickle Cell Disease (SCD) Disease Understanding and Diagnostic Algorithm

Sickle Cell Disease (SCD) Overview

Sickle Cell Disease (SCD) is a group of lifelong inherited conditions that affect hemoglobin. It is characterized as a chronic hemolytic disorder marked by the tendency of hemoglobin molecules within red blood cells to polymerize and deform the red cell into sickle (or crescent) shape (Hb S), resulting in characteristic vaso-occlusive events and accelerated hemolysis.

SCD is inherited in an autosomal fashion, whether in the homozygous or double heterogeneous state. SCD is called sickle cell anemia (SCA) when there is an inheritance in the homozygous state.

Sickle cell anemia can lead to many complications, including stroke, acute chest syndrome, pulmonary hypertension, organ damage, splenic sequestration, leg ulcers, gallstones, priapism, deep vein thrombosis, and others.

Sickle Cell Disease (SCD) Diagnosis

Sickle cell disease diagnosis starts with a blood test that is analyzed for defective genes or hemoglobin cells. Various screening programs also help in the early diagnosis of the disease during the prenatal or infancy period. SCD management focuses on preventing and treating pain episodes and other complications. 

Various screening programs are also there that help in early diagnosis of the disease during the prenatal or infancy period.

Blood tests

A person can go for the screening blood test to differentiate sickle hemoglobin (hemoglobin S) or another hemoglobin (such as C, ß-thalassemia, E).

Newborn screening

Diagnosing SCD early in a child is very important to prevent further complications. All babies born in most developed countries are offered screening for sickle cell disease shortly following the birth. In newborn screening programs, blood from a heel prick test is collected in “spots” on a special paper. A second test should be done to confirm the diagnosis if the test is positive.

Prenatal diagnosis

Prenatal diagnosing is done on the baby before it is born to know whether the baby is suffering from any particular disease. Different types of tests that are used include:

• Chorionic villus sampling
• Fetal blood sampling
• Amniocentesis

DNA analysis

This test can be used to investigate alterations and mutations in the gene that produces hemoglobin components. This test may be performed to determine whether someone has one or two copies of the Hb S mutation or has two different mutations in hemoglobin genes (e.g., Hb S and Hb C). Genetic testing is most often used for prenatal testing. This is done using a sample of amniotic fluid, the liquid in the sac surrounding a growing embryo, or a tissue taken from the placenta.

Further details related to country-based variations are provided in the report…

Sickle Cell Disease (SCD) Epidemiology

The Sickle Cell Disease (SCD) epidemiology chapter in the report provides historical as well as forecasted epidemiology segmented by Total Prevalent Cases of SCD Trait, Total Prevalent Cases Of SCD, Total Diagnosed Cases of SCD, Age-Specific Prevalent Cases of SCD And Type-Specific Prevalence of SCD Cases in the United States, EU4 (Germany, France, Italy, Spain) and the United Kingdom from 2021 to 2034. 

• Among the 6MM, the US recorded the highest number of total prevalent cases of SCD, which was followed by France.
• In 2023, the US accounted for approximately 70% of the total diagnosed prevalent cases of SCD among the 6MM.
• In 2023, sickle cell anemia (hemoglobin S/S or hemoglobin S/ß0-thalassemia) was the most prevalent subtype of SCD found in the United States, followed by sickle C disease (Hb S/C), S/ß? thalassemia, and other or unknown subtypes.
• As per DelveInsight’s analysis, in 2023, there were approximately 42% cases most prevalent in the 18-44 years of age group followed by 45-64 years, 0-17 years, and the least cases were found in 65 years and above in the US.

Stay ahead with in-depth analysis of the Sickle Cell Disease Market Forecast-discover emerging therapies, epidemiology data and growth opportunities.

Scope of the Report

• The report covers a segment of key events, an executive summary, and a descriptive overview of Sickle Cell Disease, explaining its causes, signs and symptoms, pathogenesis, and currently available therapies.
• Comprehensive insight into the epidemiology segments and forecasts, the future growth potential of diagnosis rate, and disease progression have been provided.
• A detailed review of current challenges in establishing diagnosis and diagnosis rate is provided.

Sickle Cell Disease (SCD) Report Insights

• Patient Population
• Total Prevalent Cases of SCD Trait, Total Prevalent Cases of SCD, Total Diagnosed Cases of SCD, Age-Specific Prevalent Cases of SCD, And Type-Specific Prevalence of SCD Case 
• Country-wise Epidemiology Distribution

Sickle Cell Disease (SCD) Report Key Strengths

• Eleven-year Forecast
• The 6MM Coverage 
• Sickle Cell Disease (SCD) Epidemiology Segmentation
• Epidem-based Forecasting

Sickle Cell Disease (SCD) Report Assessment

• Epidemiology Segmentation
• Current Diagnostic Practices

Key Questions

Epidemiology Insights

• What are the disease risks, burdens, and unmet needs of Sickle Cell Disease? What will be the growth opportunities across the 6MM with respect to the patient population pertaining to Sickle Cell Disease?
• What is the historical and forecasted Sickle Cell Disease patient pool in the United States, EU4 (Germany, France, Italy, Spain), and the United Kingdom?
• What is the diagnostic pattern of Sickle Cell Disease?
• Which clinical factors will affect Sickle Cell Disease?
• Which factors will affect the increase in the diagnosis of Sickle Cell Disease?

Reasons to buy

• Insights on disease burden, details regarding diagnosis, and factors contributing to the change in the epidemiology of the disease during the forecast years.
• To understand the change in Sickle Cell Disease cases in varying geographies over the coming years.
• Detailed overview of total Sickle Cell Disease cases, total prevalent cases of SCD Trait, total prevalent cases of SCD, total diagnosed cases of SCD, age-specific prevalent cases of SCD, and type-specific prevalence of SCD case is included.
• To understand the perspective of key opinion leaders around the current challenges with establishing the diagnosis and insights on the treatment-eligible patient pool.
• Detailed insights on various factors hampering disease diagnosis and other existing diagnostic challenges.