The role of religious leaders and faith organisations in haemoglobinopathies: a review.

BACKGROUND: Sickle cell disease (SCD) is now the most common genetic condition in the world including the UK with an estimate of over 12,500 affected people and over 300 new births per year. Blood transfusion therapy plays a very important role as a disease-modifying strategy in severe SCD e.g. primary and secondary stroke prevention and other acute life-threatening complications such as acute chest infections and acute multi-organ failure. Blood transfusion, however, carries a number of risks including alloimmunisation. There is the need to increase the level of awareness and education about SCD and also to increase blood donation drive among affected communities. These communities are mostly ethnic minority populations who are recognised to have poor access to health care services. Due to the strong impact of religion on these populations, faith organisations may provide potential access for health promotion and interventions. METHODS: A literature search was conducted to find studies published between 1990-2008 aimed at examining the influence of religious leaders and faith organisations in health, with particular reference to haemoglobinopathies. RESULTS: Eleven studies were reviewed covering a variety of health interventions. The findings suggest that involvement of religious leaders and faith organisations in health related interventions improved the level of acceptance, participation and positive health outcomes within the faith communities. CONCLUSION: Religious leaders and faith organisations have the potential to influence health education, health promotion and positive health outcomes amongst members of their faith community. They also provide potential access to at-risk populations for increasing awareness about SCD, encouraging health service utilization and ethnic blood donor drives.

Cerebral autosomal dominant arteriopathy with subcortical infarcts and leucoencephalopathy (CADASIL): a rare cause of dementia.

The clinical course of a 60-year-old gentleman with a history of atypical migraine, recurrent encephalopathic episodes and progressive cognitive impairment is presented. He was diagnosed with cerebral autosomal dominant arteriopathy with subcortical infarcts and leucoencephalopathy, a rare genetic disorder of the cerebral blood vessels caused by mutations in the Notch 3 gene on chromosome 19. The diagnosis was confirmed by MRI, skin biopsy and genetic testing. His cognitive function has progressively deteriorated and he continues to receive supportive care provision. The course and review of the condition are highlighted.

Successful rechallenge with clozapine following 'red alert'.

A case is presented of a 23-year-old lady with treatment-resistant schizoaffective disorder who had responded well to treatment with clozapine. Fifteen months after satisfactory use of clozapine she had 'red alerts' from routine haematological monitoring indicating neutropenia. Clozapine was discontinued and she was admitted to the psychiatric hospital to manage the aftermath of discontinuing clozapine and start alternative treatment with other antipsychotics. Her mental health rapidly deteriorated. Adequate trials with amisulpride, haloperidol, olanzapine and flupenthixol decanoate yielded little improvement in her clinical state. After 9 months of non-response to other antipsychotic medications, she was rechallenged with clozapine, followed by improvement in her mental state. She was eventually discharged home after 14 months of hospitalisation in a stable mental state. She remained mentally stable in the community on clozapine for 18 months after rechallenge, with no further red alerts.