Factors Associated with Healthcare Utilization in Children with Sickle Cell Disease in Saudi Arabia

(1) Background: In Saudi Arabia, a high-income country with a publicly funded healthcare system, sickle cell disease (SCD) remains a major pediatric health challenge. This study aimed to identify factors associated with healthcare utilization, specifically inpatient (IP), outpatient (OP), and emergency department (ED) visits, among children with SCD in Saudi Arabia. (2) Methods: A retrospective observational study was conducted using data from the KAIMRC registry (2015-2023), including 450 children under 12 years old diagnosed with SCD. Negative binomial regression models were employed to analyze the annual average visits, accounting for clinical, demographic, and regional healthcare resource variables. (3) Results: Key predictors of IP visits included complication count, crisis episodes, and region (eastern, western, and southern regions had higher utilization than central). ED visits were positively associated with complications, crisis episodes, and hydroxyurea use, but negatively associated with bone marrow transplant receipt. OP visits increased with higher Charlson Comorbidity Index scores, age, and bone marrow transplant, but were lower in the eastern region. (4) Conclusions: These findings highlight the influence of clinical and regional factors even within an equitable, high-resource healthcare system.