The Influence of Blood Groups on Diseases Pattern Globally: A Review of Literature

Abstract

The present survey reports the influence of blood groups on disease pattern in worldwide basis. Genetic factors have been associated with vulnerability or resistance to certain disease. For example, individuals who are heterozygous to haemoglobin S and haemoglobin E are resistant to infection with Plasmodium falciparum. The manifestation of metabolic syndrome, a sickness characterized by multiple risk factors like obesity, hypertension and glucose intolerance is also influenced by genetic and environmental factors. Several studies have established a relationship between ABO blood type and incidences of Plasmodium falciparum infection. This review brought to the fore the relationship between blood groups and susceptibility or resistance to disease. There is need for more studies to be carried out to unravel the exact mechanism how blood groups affect disease. It is recommended that individuals of various blood groups should know the different disease that they are prone to and avoid the predisposing factors to such diseases.