Improved Outcomes With L-Glutamine Use in Sickle Cell Disease

Investigators from multiple institutions conducted a randomized, placebo-controlled, double-blind trial to determine the efficacy of oral L-glutamine in reducing the incidence of pain crises among patients with sickle cell anemia. Patients were eligible if they were ≥5 years of age, had a diagnosis of sickle cell anemia or sickle β⁰ thalassemia, received care at 1 of 31 study hospitals, and had ≥2 pain crises in the previous year. Patients were randomized in a 2:1 ratio to either the intervention arm, in which they received 0.3 g/kg of oral L-glutamine (maximum dose 30 g) twice daily for 48 weeks, or the placebo arm. Participants were called every week and had monthly study visits to encourage adherence …