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.