Absence of Association Between TNF α Polymorphysm and Cerebral Large Vessel Abnormalities in Adults with Sickle Cell Anemia

Purpose: Stroke is a common and serious complication of sickle cell disease (SCD) affecting children as well as adults. Recent reports suggested that promoter region polymorphism in the tumour necrosis factor alpha (TNF-α) gene at position −308 is an important risk factor for large vessel stroke in children with SCD. The role of TNF-α polymorphism in the frequency of magnetic resonance angiography (MRA) abnormalities in adults with SCD is still uncertain. Our objective was to evaluate TNF-α polymorphism in adults with SCD from a tertiary University-based hospital in Sao Paulo, Brazil and correlate them to brain magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) and MRA findings.