Electrocardiographic findings in Nigerian athletes with the sickle cell trait.

BACKGROUND

In spite of the high prevalence of the sickle cell trait (SCT) in Nigeria, the electrocardiographic characteristics of SCT athletes remain unknown.

OBJECTIVE

To compare the electrocardiographic findings in athletes of the University of Port Harcourt based on hemoglobin genotype.

METHODS

76 athletes (41 males, 35 females) were recruited. All had normal ECGs and echocardiograms. The prevalence of SCT was 31.6%.

RESULTS

Mean heart rate was lower among the SCT athletes (57.3 [8.6] vs 64.6 [10.4] beats/min; p = .002; Hedges' g = 0.74). Mean T-wave axis was also higher among SCT athletes (39.1 [12.8] vs 32.3 [12.9] degrees; p = .036 Hedges' g = 0.53).

CONCLUSION

SCT is associated with significant electrocardiographic changes in Nigerian athletes. The biological basis and clinical significance of these changes are presently uncertain.