Citation

O'Connor FG, Bergeron MF, Cantrell J, Connes P, Harmon KG, Ivy E, Kark J, Klossner D, Lisman P, Meyers BK, O'Brien K, Ohene-Frempong K, Thompson AA, Whitehead J, Deuster PA. Med. Sci. Sports Exerc. 2012; 44(11): 2045-2056.

Affiliation

1Department of Military and Emergency Medicine, Uniformed Services University of the Health Sciences, Bethesda, MD; 2National Institute for Athletic Health and Performance, Sanford USD Medical Center, Sioux Falls, SD; 3Department of Preventive Medicine and Biometrics, Uniformed Services University of the Health Sciences, Bethesda, MD; 4UMR Inserm 665, Universite Antilles-Guyane, Pointe-a-Pitre, Guadeloupe; 5Departments of Family Medicine and Orthopaedics and Sports Medicine, University of Washington, Seattle, WA; 6National Heart, Lung, and Blood Institute, Bethesda, MD; 7Hematology-Oncology Division, Howard University Hospital, Washington, DC; 8National Collegiate Athletic Association, Indianapolis, IN; 9Division of Preventive Medicine, Walter Reed Army Institute of Research, Silver Spring, MD; 10Madigan Army Medical Center, Tacoma, WA; 11Comprehensive Sickle Cell Center, Children's Hospital of Philadelphia, Philadelphia, PA; 12Feinberg School of Medicine, Northwestern University, Chicago, IL; 13American College of Sports Medicine, Indianapolis, IN.

Copyright

(Copyright © 2012, Lippincott Williams and Wilkins)

DOI

10.1249/MSS.0b013e31826851c2

PMID

22811029

Abstract

INTRODUCTION: An estimated 300 million people worldwide have sickle cell trait (SCT). Although largely benign, SCT has been associated with exertional rhabdomyolysis and exercise-related sudden death in warfighters/athletes (WA). The NCAA's policy to confirm a student-athlete's SCT status during their preparticipation medical examination prompted reaction from some organizations regarding the rationale and ethical justification of the policy. METHODS: On 26 and 27 September 2011, a summit, comprised of military and civilian experts in sports medicine and SCT, was convened at the Uniformed Services University in Bethesda, Maryland. The expert panel was charged with two objectives: 1) provide specific recommendations to further mitigate the apparent risk with strenuous exercise in WA with SCT and 2) develop clinical guidelines to identify, treat and return to duty/play WA suspected to have incurred non-fatal sickle cell collapse. RESULTS: New terminology is introduced, areas of current controversy are explored, consensus recommendations for mitigating risk and managing the WA with SCT are reviewed, and important areas for future research are identified. CONCLUSION: Further research is needed before conclusions can be drawn regarding the etiology of the increased death rate observed in WA with SCT and the possibility exists that SCT is a surrogate for as yet another contributing factor for the unexplained deaths.

Language: en