Date of Paper/Work

12-2012

Type of Paper/Work

Scholarly project

Degree Name

Master of Arts in Nursing

Department

Nursing

Advisor

Gay Varecka

Abstract

The purpose of this evidence based practice literature review is to research the long term effects of the medication hydroxyurea on adult patients who have severe sickle cell disease and investigate if this medication improves overall health. The database utilized was CINAHL with the search parameters including: sickle cell disease, hydroxyurea, research and adults which led to the articles that were referenced in this paper. Based on the analysis and synthesis of the literature, hydroxyurea was found to have similar beneficial results that were statistically significant for patients with severe sickle cell disease. These articles utilized a variety of methods including two experimental and three non-experimental studies. The critical appraisal of the research supports the use of hydroxyurea for adults with severe sickle cell disease demonstrating fewer acute and chronic complications.

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