Impact Of Human Leukocyte Antigen On The Risk Of Stroke In Patients With Sickle Cell Disease

Objectives: Sickle Cell Disease (SCD) is an inherited hemoglobinopathy with multiple complications including stroke. It is observed that siblings with SCD have an increased risk of stroke if there was a sibling in the family with SCD and stroke (Driscoll M C, Blood, 2003). Human Leukocyte Antigen (HLA) is extremely variable among individuals and certain HLA alleles have previously been associated with a number of diseases. It has been shown that HLA-DRB1*0301, HLA-DRB1*0302 and HLA-DQB1*0201 increase the risk of stroke and HLA-DRB1*1501 and HLA-DQB1*0602 lower the risk of stroke in patients with SCD (Styles L, Blood, 2000). These alleles are not common in all populations. We therefore planned to assess the impact of other HLA alleles on the risk of stroke in patients with SCD.