Angiotensin-converting enzyme insertion/deletion polymorphism is not associated with vasoocclusive complications of sickle cell anemia

CONTEXT: Sickle cell anemia (SCA) is a group of hemoglobin disorders in which the sickle β-globin gene is inherited. It is associated with many complications; most of them are related to thrombotic events. AIM: This study aimed to investigate the association between angiotensin converting enzyme (ACE) insertion/deletion polymorphism and complications of SCA. SETTINGS AND DESIGN: A case–control study was conducted in Khartoum state. SUBJECTS AND METHODS: A total of 50 patients with SCA and 40 healthy volunteers as a control group were enrolled in this study. Three milliliters of ethylenediamine tetraacetic acid anticoagulated blood were collected from each subject, DNA was extracted by salting-out method, and target DNA regions of the ACE gene were amplified using allele-specific polymerase chain reaction. STATISTICAL ANALYSIS USED: Data of this study was analyzed by Statistical Package for Social Sciences. Frequency of qualitative variables was calculated, and correlation was tested by Chi-square test. Regression was used to investigate the association between the polymorphism and complications of SCA. RESULTS: The frequencies of the DD, ID, and II genotypes were 42%, 50%, and 8%, respectively, for patients, whereas in the control group, it was 80% for DD genotype and 20% for ID, while II genotype was totally absent. The regression analysis showed no statistically significant association between the disease complications and each of the ACE polymorphic genotypes. CONCLUSION: No statistically significant association was found between ACE polymorphism and complications of SCA.