Work

Negative health implications of sickle cell trait in high income countries: from the football field to the laboratory

Year: 2015

Type: review

Abstract: Worldwide, sickle cell trait is a highly prevalent gene carrier state. While generally a benign condition with a normal life expectancy, it is becoming increasingly clear that the sickle trait is associated with certain adverse outcomes. This article will focus on three of these outcomes, namely exertional rhabdomyolysis and sudden death, chronic renal dysfunction, and venous thromboembolism. In each case, the epidemiological evidence for the association is reviewed, together with the existing data on potential underlying mechanisms. Because newborn screening programmes for sickle cell anaemia also identify those with sickle cell trait, it is imperative that further studies determine what, if any, preventive measures can be taken to reduce the burden of these uncommon but potentially morbid complications in affected individuals.

Source: British Journal of Haematology

DOI: 10.1111/bjh.13363

Authors: Nigel S. Key, Philippe Connes, Vimal K. Derebail

Institutions: University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, Lyon 1 Université, Institut Universitaire de France

Language: English

Topic: Hemoglobinopathies and Related Disorders

Subfield: Genetics (clinical)

Field: Medicine

Domain: Health Sciences

SDG: Good health and well-being

Open Access status: green

Funders: Doris Duke Charitable Foundation, National Institutes of Health, National Heart, Lung, and Blood Institute