Molokie RE, Wang ZJ, Yao Y, et al. - Researchers investigated the prevalence of pain sensitization among adults with sickle cell disease (SCD) pain vs pain-free healthy adults. They performed a cross-sectional, single-session study comparing responses to standard thermal (Medoc TSA II) and mechanical stimuli (von Frey filaments) among 186 African American outpatients with SCD pain (age 18-74 years, 59% female) vs 124 healthy age, gender, and race matched control individuals (age 18-69 years, 49% female). Sensitization was reported in about twice as many adults with SCD relative to controls. More than half of those with sensitization exhibited some central sensitization. Frequent pain crisis episodes were reported among SCD patients in correlation to sensitization. The SCD pain experience may comprise persistent allodynia and hyperalgesia. Appropriate assessment and treatment of neuropathic pain are recommended if it is part of SCD pain.