ABSTRACT. Sickle cell trait (SCT) carriers inherit one copy of the Glu6Val mutation in the hemoglobin gene and is particularly common in Black individuals (5–10%). Considering the roles of hemoglobin in immune responses and the higher risk for coronavirus disease (COVID-19) among Black individuals, we tested whether Black SCT carriers were at increased risk for COVID-19 infection and mortality according to the United Kingdom Biobank. Among Black individuals who were tested for COVID-19, we found similar infection rates among SCT carriers (14/72; 19.7%) and noncarriers (167/791; 21.1%), but higher COVID-19 mortality rates among SCT carriers (4/14; 28.6%) than among noncarriers (21/167; 12.6%) (odds ratio [OR], 3.04; 95% confidence interval [CI], 0.69–11.82; P = 0.12). Notably, SCT carriers with preexisting diabetes had significantly higher COVID-19 mortality (4/4; 100%) than those without diabetes (0/10; 0%; (OR, 90.71; 95% CI, 5.66–infinite; P = 0.0005). These findings suggest that Black SCT carriers with preexisting diabetes are at disproportionally higher risk for COVID-19 mortality. Confirmation by larger studies is warranted.
【초록키워드】 COVID-19, coronavirus disease, immune response, Mutation, Mortality, Biobank, COVID-19 infection, hemoglobin, infection rate, United Kingdom, COVID-19 mortality, Odds ratio, sickle cell trait, black, higher risk, 95% CI, 95% confidence interval, increased risk, confirmation, individual, carrier, tested, significantly higher, individuals, diabete, SCT, 【제목키워드】 Biobank, United Kingdom, Result, Sickle,