Book excerpt: This practical clinical handbook reveals that sickle cell disease (SCD) is an increasingly common condition to manage in Europe and North America. SCD demands clinical expertise and experience as well as sensitivity to its social and cultural context. This book is designed to broaden readers' knowledge in this challenging condition by describing the acute and long-term complications unique to SCD and that affect nearly every system of the body. Critically, it also details the significant recent advances in understanding the pathophysiology of SCD that are leading to novel treatment modalities. Sickle Cell Disease in Clinical Practice promotes higher quality care by outlining the clinical problems as they arise, and covering essential background information, including up-to-date research, and useful points to guide management. As such, the intended target audience is broad and includes general physicians, general practitioners, hematologists, pediatricians, emergency medicine physicians, surgeons, medical students, nurse specialists and commissioners.