Understanding the role of social, genetic and environmental factors in the severity of sickle cell: a pilot study developed with patients
Lead Researcher :听and
Supported by the Social, Genetic & Environmental Determinants of Health (SGE) Theme
Each person with sickle cell experiences their condition differently. The severity of sickle cell is determined by complex interactions between social, genetic and environmental factors, rather than by a simple mutation in the DNA. Scientists still do not have a good understanding of the complexity of sickle cell and people with sickle cell do not tend to trust researchers and healthcare professionals.
Our proposal, developed with input from people with sickle cell including the UK Sickle Cell Society, aims to find out from those affected which factors are likely to be the most important in their day-to-day lives (e.g. triggers). We will then look at data from the UK Biobank, a unique database with detailed genetic information, to study potential links between the factors identified by people with sickle cell and genetic data already available.
This preliminary work will both enable conversations with people with sickle cell and set the foundations for more in-depth work to be conducted in the future. Through a better understanding of the role of these complex factors, we hope to be able to provide personalised guidance to people with sickle cell and to help prevent future complications.