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NCT Number: NCT03376893

Epidemiology of Silent and Overt Strokes in Sickle Cell Disease

Sickle Cell Disease (SCD) is a rare disease occurring in an estimated 100,000 individuals, often poor and underserved, in the US. Silent and overt strokes contribute significantly to morbidity in adults with SCD, resulting in functional impairment, challenges with school and job performance, and premature death. Five NIH-funded randomized controlled trials have identified therapies to prevent silent and overt strokes in children with SCD, including monthly blood transfusion therapy (for preventing initial and recurrent strokes) and hydroxyurea (for preventing initial strokes). Despite the observation that at least 99% of children with SCD in high-income countries reach adulthood, and approximately 60% of adults will experience one or more strokes (~50% with silent strokes and ~10% with overt strokes), no stroke trials have established therapeutic approaches for adults with SCD. For adults with SCD, inadequate evidence-based guidelines exist for secondary stroke prevention strategies. Applying stroke prevention strategies in children may not be effective for stroke prevention in adults with SCD, particularly given the high rate of co-morbidities. Identifying subgroups of adults with SCD and higher incidence coupled with the contribution of established stroke risk factors in the general population (smoking, diabetes, obesity, renal disease) will provide the requisite data required for the first-ever phase III clinical trials focused on secondary stroke prevention in adults.

Active, Not Recruiting

This study is active but is not currently recruiting participants.

Key information

Conditions

Anemia, Sickle Cell Anemia Anemia, Hemolytic Anemia, Hemolytic, Congenital Brain Diseases Cardiovascular Diseases Central Nervous System Diseases Cerebrovascular Disorders Congenital, Hereditary, and Neonatal Diseases and Abnormalities Genetic Diseases, Inborn Hematologic Diseases Hemic and Lymphatic Diseases Hemoglobinopathies Nervous System Diseases Sickle Cell Disease Sickle Cell Thalassemia Sickle Cell-Beta0-Thalassemia Stroke Vascular Diseases

Age range

18 year and older

Sex eligibility

All sexes

Study type

Observational

Primary location

University of Alabama at Birmingham, Birmingham, Alabama, United States

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About this study

In three adult SCD centers, we will conduct a prospective cohort study to test the primary hypothesis that the incidence of infarct recurrence (stroke or silent stroke) or new strokes in adults with silent strokes treated with hydroxyurea will be greater than in those without strokes treated with hydroxyurea. We will test two secondary hypotheses: 1) adults with SCD and silent strokes have cognitive morbidity when compared to adults with SCD without silent strokes, and 2) adults with SCD and strokes receiving regular blood transfusion will have a higher incidence of infarct recurrence than those with SCD without strokes. The aims include Aim 1: Compare the incidence of new overt and silent strokes in adults with SCD and silent strokes to a comparison group of adults without silent strokes or overt strokes. Aim 2: Compare the cognitive morbidity of those with silent strokes and overt strokes to those without strokes. Aim 3: Compare the incidence of new overt and silent stroke in adults with SCD and overt strokes receiving transfusion to adults with SCD without silent or overt strokes treated with hydroxyurea. All clinical information and neuroimaging will be centrally adjudicated with masked and experienced neurology and neuroradiology committees. Data generated after completion of this proposal are critical for developing the first-ever phase III trials for secondary stroke prevention therapies in adults with SCD.

Who can participate

Healthy volunteers accepted: No

Only the study team can determine whether someone qualifies for participation.

Inclusion criteria

  • Participants with sickle cell disease on hemoglobin analysis and/or other confirmatory documentation of phenotype
  • Patients ≥ 18 years of age
  • Patients followed regularly (at least two visits per year) in the hematology clinics
  • Patients who have demonstrated adherence with follow-up visits for ≥ 3 years
  • Patients willing to be followed prospectively for a minimum of 3.5 years and agree to a standard care exit MRI/MRA of the brain, as well as MRI/MRA every 12 to 18 months or participation in VUMC AHA trial with Dr. Jordan as PI. These are adults with SCA aged 18-40 years at study entry, enrolled with any infarct status (none, SCI or overt stroke) and followed prospectively.
  • Willingness to comply with study protocol, routine clinic visits

Exclusion criteria

  • Participants judged to be non-compliant by the hematologist based on previous experience in terms of clinic appointments and following advice
  • Participants with contraindications to MRI, including individuals with MRI-incompatible foreign metal objects

Treatment and study plan

Primary outcomes

  1. Adjudication of silent stroke in those with reported history of silent stroke and hydroxyurea therapy

    Time frame: Study enrollment

    Based on results of an MRI exam and a neurological exam, performed by a physician, the Neuroradiology Committee and the Neurology Committee will come to consensus on whether a silent stroke has occurred. Radiologically, silent stroke will be defined as a FLAIR T2W hyperintensity greater than 3 mm, visible in two planes. Neurologically, a silent stroke has no neurological sequelae.

  2. Adjudication of new strokes in those with history of silent stroke and on hydroxyurea therapy

    Time frame: Every 12 to 18 months after enrollment

    Based on results of an MRI exam and a neurological exam, performed by a physician, the Neuroradiology Committee and the Neurology Committee will come to consensus on whether a NEW stroke has occurred since the last exams, and if so, whether it is a silent stroke or overt stroke. Radiologically, silent stroke will be defined as a FLAIR T2W hyperintensity greater than 3 mm, visible in two planes. Neurologically, a silent stroke has no neurological sequelae.

  3. Adjudication of new strokes in those with history of silent stroke and on hydroxyurea therapy

    Time frame: At study exit (at least 3.5 years after enrollment)

    Based on results of an MRI exam and a neurological exam, performed by a physician, the Neuroradiology Committee and the Neurology Committee will come to consensus on whether a NEW stroke has occurred since the last exams, and if so, whether it is a silent stroke or overt stroke. Radiologically, silent stroke will be defined as a FLAIR T2W hyperintensity greater than 3 mm, visible in two planes. Neurologically, a silent stroke has no neurological sequelae.

Secondary outcomes

  1. Cognitive morbidity in those with silent or overt stroke

    Time frame: Study enrollment

    All participants will complete the NIH Toolbox CB. The NIH Toolbox CB allows for the evaluation of several cognitive constructs and yields individual measure scores as well as a composite score. This measure will serve as a baseline for all participants.

  2. Cognitive morbidity in those with silent or overt stroke

    Time frame: Every 12 to 18 months after enrollment

    Participants will complete the NIH Toolbox CB. The NIH Toolbox CB allows for the evaluation of several cognitive constructs and yields individual measure scores as well as a composite score. Results will be compared to the previous measurement(s) to determine if change has occurred.

  3. Cognitive morbidity in those with silent or overt stroke

    Time frame: At study exit (at least 3.5 years after enrollment)

    Participants will complete the NIH Toolbox CB. The NIH Toolbox CB allows for the evaluation of several cognitive constructs and yields individual measure scores as well as a composite score. Results will be compared to the previous measurement(s) to determine if change has occurred.

  4. Adjudication of overt stroke in those with reported history of overt stroke and on transfusion therapy

    Time frame: Study enrollment

    Based on results of an MRI exam and a neurological exam, performed by a physician, the Neuroradiology Committee and the Neurology Committee will come to consensus on whether an overt stroke has occurred.

  5. Adjudication of new strokes in those with history of overt stroke and on transfusion therapy

    Time frame: Every 12 to 18 months after enrollment

    Based on results of an MRI exam and a neurological exam, performed by a physician, the Neuroradiology Committee and the Neurology Committee will come to consensus on whether a NEW stroke has occurred since the last exams, and if so, whether it is a silent stroke or overt stroke. Radiologically, silent stroke will be defined as a FLAIR T2W hyperintensity greater than 3 mm, visible in two planes. Neurologically, a silent stroke has no neurological sequelae.

  6. Adjudication of new strokes in those with history of overt stroke and on transfusion therapy

    Time frame: At study exit (at least 3.5 years after enrollment)

    Based on results of an MRI exam and a neurological exam, performed by a physician, the Neuroradiology Committee and the Neurology Committee will come to consensus on whether a NEW stroke has occurred since the last exams, and if so, whether it is a silent stroke or overt stroke. Radiologically, silent stroke will be defined as a FLAIR T2W hyperintensity greater than 3 mm, visible in two planes. Neurologically, a silent stroke has no neurological sequelae.

Sponsors and collaborators

Lead sponsor

Vanderbilt University Medical Center

Other

Collaborators

  • University of Alabama at Birmingham
  • Washington University School of Medicine

Registry information

Official study title

The Epidemiology of Silent and Overt Strokes in Adults With Sickle Cell Disease: a Prospective Cohort Study

Acronym: ESCD

Important dates

Study start
2017
Primary completion
2025
Study completion
2026
First posted
Dec 19, 2017
Registry last updated
Feb 13, 2026

OpenTrials presents study information sourced from ClinicalTrials.gov. The official registry record should be consulted for the latest information.

View the official ClinicalTrials.gov record (opens in a new tab)

This listing is for discovery and informational purposes only. It is not medical advice, does not guarantee that a study is recruiting, and does not determine eligibility. Contact the study team and a qualified healthcare professional when considering participation.

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