Is Sickle Cell Trait Associated with Worse COVID-19 Outcomes?

Sickle cell trait (SCT) generally is considered to be a benign condition, but its presence has been associated with chronic kidney disease, venous thromboembolism, and exertion-related injuries. Could it also be associated with worse outcomes in COVID-19? Researchers examined a multiethnic genetic biobank of more than 130,000 U.S. veterans (mean age, 65), of whom 2729 had SCT. Ancestral-specific analyses were conducted, with a focus on individuals of African ancestry, given the higher prevalence of SCT in this group (8% in this biobank). Thirteen percent of people with SCT had COVID-19; 10% people without SCT had COVID-19.

Among people with African ancestry, SCT was associated independently with multiple preexisting conditions (e.g., diabeti…