Screening by Self-Report Underestimates Sickle Cell Trait in High-School Athletes.

Area of Science:

• Sports Medicine
• Public Health
• Genetics

Background:

• Sickle cell trait (SCT) is a concern in athletes, prompting mandatory screening for NCAA athletes.
• High school athletes are typically screened via self-report, but its effectiveness is unstudied.

Purpose of the Study:

• To evaluate the effectiveness of self-reported sickle cell trait (SCT) screening in high school athletes.
• To compare self-reported SCT prevalence with national averages and assess reporting consistency.

Main Methods:

• Reviewed 401 preparticipation evaluation (PPE) forms from University of Florida athletes (2017-2018).
• Analyzed self-reported SCT diagnosis (yes/no) and compared it to CDC national prevalence data.
• Assessed SCT question response rates against common cardiac screening questions.

Main Results:

• Only 1.5% of athletes self-reported SCT, significantly lower than the expected national prevalence for Black/African Americans (3.7% vs. 7.3%).
• 44 forms (11%) left the SCT question blank, indicating inconsistent reporting.
• SCT question response rates were lower than those for cardiac screening questions.

Conclusions:

• Self-reported SCT prevalence in high school athletes is lower than expected, suggesting underreporting.
• Inconsistent completion of SCT screening questions raises concerns about the accuracy and reliability of current self-report methods.
• Further research is needed to improve SCT screening accuracy in high school athletes.