RecruitingNot ApplicableNCT06886477

Sickle Cell, Pain and Mediterranean Diet

Exploring the Mediterranean Diet as A Promising Approach for Alleviating Chronic Pain in Sickle Cell Disease

Sponsor

University of Illinois at Chicago

Enrollment

30 participants

Start Date

May 1, 2025

Study Type

INTERVENTIONAL

Conditions

Sickle Cell Disease Mediterranean Diet Sickle Cell Sickle Cell Disease Without Crisis

Summary

The goal of this study is to compare pain levels in individuals with Sickle Cell Disease while following the Mediterranean Diet to pain levels while following their usual diet.

Eligibility

Min Age: 18 Years

Inclusion Criteria4

Sickle Cell Disease Diagnosis
Chronic non-vaso-occlusive pain experienced on average ≥ 3 days per week for > 6 months (based on a response of "Most days," "Every day," or "Some days" and not "Never" to the question "In the past 6 months, how often have you had pain?")
Ability to speak, read, write, and understand English
A Mediterranean Eating Pattern for Americans (MEPA-III) score <13, indicating that they do not follow a Mediterranean diet.

Exclusion Criteria9

Having taken systemic antimicrobials (to treat an infection in the previous 4 weeks)
History of colon cancer or inflammatory bowel disease (given potential untoward effects on the gut microbiome)
History of Clostridium difficile infection in the preceding 12 weeks; (4) unable to agree to maintain physical activity at the current level for the duration of the study
Currently following a Mediterranean diet, vegan diet, or dietary restrictions (e.g., religious, food intolerance/allergy) that preclude adoption of a Mediterranean diet
Lack of access to a space to safely store and reheat food items
Living in a facility that provides meals.
Pregnancy or breastfeeding
More than 7 in-patient hospital stays in the last year
Currently receiving dialysis treatment