People who are genetic carriers for sickle cell disease face an increased risk of developing blood clots, according to a major new US study. But crucially, the risk is found among all sickle cell trait carriers, not just those of African heritage, according to the findings reported in Blood Advances.
The researchers say the findings will remove a racialised bias that has caused “unintended harm” to those with the trait.
The research involved data from more than four million people. It concluded that those with the sickle cell trait have a 1.45 times increased risk of developing venous thromboembolism – and this was found across all genetic ancestries.
The research also found that sickle cell trait carriers face a greater risk of clots oc...
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