Clinical Research Directory

Inclusion Criteria: 1. age of 18 to 65 years; 2. confirmed diagnosis of sickle cell anemia (HbSS and SB0 thalassemia); 3. non-crisis, "steady state" with no severe pain episodes requiring medical contact during the preceding 4 weeks; 4. ability to understand the requirements of the study and be willing to give informed consent. Exclusion Criteria: 1. bone marrow transplantation; 2. history of long-standing diabetes mellitus with suspicion for diabetic nephropathy as determined by a nephrologist; 3. known diagnosis of hepatitis B or C infection (patients will not be screened specifically for this during the study); 4. known HIV positive (patients will not be screened specifically for this); 5. history of cancer, except non-melanoma skin cancer; 6. pregnant or breastfeeding; 7. connective tissue disease such as SLE; 8. known glomerular disease unrelated to SCD; 9. patients with ESRD on chronic dialysis.