A Scoping Review on Sex and Gender Differences in the Adverse Health Outcomes of Individuals with Sickle Cell Trait

Although there is an emerging body of evidence that addresses the adverse health outcomes of individuals with sickle cell trait (SCT), it is not clear if the findings are generalizable from a sex and gender perspective. The purpose of this scoping review was to complete an assessment of main concepts, identify knowledge gaps, and determine the potential value of conducting an eventual systematic review. The research question guiding this scoping review is: In SCT individuals with adverse health outcomes, what is known about sex and gender differences? We conducted a scoping review of research on SCT from 2016 to 2022 across five databases, with 36 research studies included in the review. The majority of the included studies were cohort studies (67%) in the United States (61%) focusing on a variety of health outcomes. One-third reported health outcomes by both SCT status and sex, and one-third controlled for sex; no studies addressed gender. Further research is needed on the role of sex and gender for individuals with SCT.