Elevated oxygen consumption, neutrophil count, and CRP during sickle cell pain crisis. Thenar eminence microvascular oxygen consumption (A; VO₂), absolute (Abs) neutrophil count (B), and CRP levels (C) were greater among sickle cell disease (SCD) patients in pain crisis than among patients in steady-state or healthy individuals. Horizontal lines indicate the median for each group. Significance levels are indicated by *P < .05, **P < .01, and ns (not significant).