Priapism in sickle cell disease in Qatif Central Hospital

Priapism is a common complication of sickle cell disease [SCD]. Its true frequency in Saudi patients is not known. We interviewed 174 male patients or parents of young SCD patients attending sickle cell clinics at our hospital, in an attempt to estimate the frequency of this complication. Of these patients 105 were children and 69 were adults. History of at least one episode of priapism was obtained from 32 patients [18.4%]. This is a much higher frequency than previously reported from the Eastern Province of Saudi Arabia. The previously reported low frequency may have been due to cultural factors or to overlooking the diagnosis at presentation