American Society of Hematology opposes sickle cell trait screening: a voice from left field.

摘要

In January 2012, the American Society of Hematology (ASH) weighed in on sports medicine. They issued a policy statement on screening for sickle cell trait (SCT) and athletic participation. The ASH policy opposes the April 2010 National Collegiate Athletic Association (NCAA) policy requiring all Division 1 institutions to screen all incoming athletes for SCT (18).The ASH statement calls for more research, of course, and marshals its opposition into three bullet points: 1) ASH does not support testing or disclosure of SCT status as a prerequisite for participation in athletics, 2) ASH recommends universal interventions to reduce exertion-related injuries and deaths because this approach can be effective for all athletes irrespective of SCT status, and 3) ASH believes the NCAA policy has the potential to harm the athlete and the larger community with SCT (18).I believe ASH is wrong on all three of these forays into sports medicine. After studying the makeup of the ASH workshop that led to this pronouncement, I also wonder about the expertise of ASH in sports medicine. Let me explain.