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

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.

Sickle cell trait diagnosis: clinical and social implications

“…35–37 The purpose of this section is to highlight the important and high policy impact epidemiologic studies in SCT and to identify unanswered questions in need of future research (Table 3). …”

“…Future efforts should be aimed at clarifying the context in which SCT-related deaths occur, defining the epidemiology and genetic predispositions for exertional rhabdomyolysis, and formally investigating the utility of universal precautions in preventing overall and SCT-specific exercise-related injury in athletics. 17,31,32,35 …”

Assessment of iron status and interplay between lipid peroxidation and antioxidant capacity in common hemoglobin variants in Osun State, southwestern Nigeria

“…These oxidative agents perhaps prompt consumption of antioxidant reserve very rapidly and consequently result in antioxidant insufficiency, thus building up oxidative stress and possible complications . Recent suggestions have exclusively linked abnormal hemoglobins S and C to many complications with multiple prooxidant processes …”

Characterization of a mouse model of sickle cell trait: parallels to human trait and a novel finding of cutaneous sensitization

“…While sickle cell trait (SCT) has been considered an essentially asymptomatic and benign condition associated with increased survival from malaria infection and normal life expectancy, recent studies have suggested that it may be associated with some complications of sickle cell disease (SCD) (Key et al , ) while other studies revealed no impact on baseline health and fitness (Liem et al , ). Individuals with SCT carry only a single copy of the mutated allele encoding the variant of haemoglobin that is known to cause SCD; the presence of normal β globin subunits within circulating red blood cells (RBCs) is protective against haemoglobin polymerization and RBC sickling.…”