HMOX1 and chronic kidney disease: Genetic modifiers that increase the risk of progression to CKD include variants in MYH9, APOL1, and HMOX1.33, –35 Of note, albuminuria and CKD are common in variant SCD, with or without concomitant diabetes, hypertension, or other glomerulopathy.31 Before determining that a patient has SCD-related kidney disease, clinicians should exclude other potential causes of non–sickle cell–related kidney disease in people with SCD.