A standardized schedule for burden on the family of sickle-cell anaemia sufferers.

The chronicity and incurability of sickle cell anaemia reinforce the need to give particular attention to the psychosocial effect of the illness on the family. A 22-item schedule of burden with very high inter-rater reliability and modest validity is constructed and should be useful in the assessment of other similar chronic disorders. The phylogenetic origin of sickle-cell anaemia makes it essential that a psychological understanding of the disorder should be a component of the therapy arsenal of health professionals serving populations of African extraction.