Despite the fact that obstructive sleep apnoea (OSA) is highly prevalent in the sickle cell population, studies focusing on the associations of the two diseases and their common pathophysiological mechanisms are scarce. OSA is one of the most common conditions responsible for hemoglobin desaturation. The nocturnal hemoglobin desaturation occurring in some sickle cell disease (SCD) patients with OSA could trigger hemoglobin S polymerization and red blood cell (RBC) sickling, leading to further blood rheological alterations, hence increasing the risks for VOC. Moreover, OSA has been demonstrated to increase oxidative stress and inflammation in non Sickle Cell Disease (SCD) patients, which, in SCD patients, could increase the risk for complications. Finally, OSA is accompanied by impaired vascular function and autonomic nervous system dysfunction in the general population. Indeed, the presence of OSA in SCD could increase the clinical severity of patients and the frequency of VOC.
Who can participate
Age range
15 Years – 50 Years
Sex
ALL
See this in plain English?
AI-rewrites the medical criteria so a patient or caregiver can understand them. Always confirm with the trial site.
Inclusion Criteria:
* Homozygous HbS (Hemoglobin S) (SS) patients,
* aged between 15 and 3 months and 50 years old,
* in steady state (i.e. without vaso-occlusive crisis or recent blood transfusion),
* followed by the sickle cell center of the Hospices Civils de Lyon,
* and showing symptoms of OSA.
Exclusion Criteria:
* Patients receiving treatment of OSA,
* recent blood transfusion (less than 2 months),
* patients not at steady state (VOC or acute chest syndrome less than 2 months),
* pregnancy.
Questions worth asking your doctor
Bring these to your next appointment. They're a starting point for a shared conversation — not a sign you qualify or a recommendation to enrol.
1Based on my diagnosis and history, is this trial worth exploring for me — or is there a standard treatment we should try first?
2What does this trial's phase tell us about how much is already known about its safety and benefit?
3What would taking part actually involve for me — visits, tests, time, and travel?
4What are the known and possible risks or side effects I should weigh, and how would they be monitored?
5If this trial isn't the right fit, what other options or trials would you suggest I look into?
Generated to help you prepare — always confirm anything about your own eligibility and care with the study team and your doctor.
Questions for the trial coordinator
The trial coordinator is the person who runs the study day to day. These cover the practical side — logistics, costs, and what taking part would actually mean for your life. The study team confirms whether you meet the criteria; these are questions to ask, not a sign you qualify.
1What does taking part actually involve week to week — how many visits, where, and how long does each one take?
2What costs are covered by the study, and what might I have to pay for myself, including travel, parking, or time off work?
3What happens during screening, and what happens if the study team confirms I don't meet the criteria after those tests?
4Who pays for the scans, blood work, and other tests the trial requires — the study, my insurance, or me?
5How will being in the trial affect my regular care, and will my own doctor stay informed and involved?
6Can I leave the trial at any point if I change my mind, and what would happen to my care if I do?
A starting point for the conversation — always confirm anything about your own eligibility, costs, and care with the study team and your doctor.
What they're measuring
1
number of VOC crises required hospitalization in the previous two years