Key result
Non-O blood groups linked to ~3-fold higher risk of venous thromboembolism versus type O.
Why the study?
Does ABO blood group status affect susceptibility and outcomes for various diseases including cardiovascular diseases?
Does ABO blood group status affect susceptibility and outcomes for various diseases including cardiovascular diseases?
ABO blood group status, particularly non-O types, is associated with increased risk for cardiovascular diseases such as venous thromboembolism, highlighting its potential as a biomarker for risk stratification.
BACKGROUND: The ABO blood group system is one of the most clinically significant human blood group systems and is closely associated with pathogenesis, progression, and prognosis of numerous diseases. This narrative review synthesizes recent epidemiological evidence and explores potential mechanisms linking ABO to cardiovascular diseases, malignancies, diabetes, Plasmodium falciparum malaria, COVID‑19, and rheumatic diseases. METHODS: We searched PubMed and CNKI up to September 2025. RESULTS: Epidemiological studies consistently show non‑O blood groups have significantly elevated cardiovascular risk, with venous thromboembolism risk about two to four times higher than in type O. In oncology, ABO influences susceptibility and prognosis in various cancers, with type A linked to increased gastric cancer risk (pooled OR≈1.2). Type O individuals show relative resistance to severe malaria. During COVID‑19, type A was linked to higher susceptibility and severity, whereas type O appeared mildly protective, though associations exhibited substantial heterogeneity across populations, viral variants, and vaccination contexts. ABO polymorphisms may also modulate risk and manifestations of rheumatic diseases such as systemic lupus erythematosus and rheumatoid arthritis. CONCLUSION: Accumulating evidence suggests ABO status is associated with susceptibility and outcomes for a range of diseases. These findings are primarily hypothesis‑generating and underscore the need for further research to elucidate causal mechanisms. The potential of ABO typing as a biomarker for risk stratification in personalized medicine warrants investigation in large, multi‑ethnic prospective studies.
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Liu et al. (2026) conducted a review in Cardiovascular diseases, cancers, diabetes, malaria, COVID-19, and rheumatic diseases. ABO blood groups vs. Type O blood group was evaluated. Non-O blood groups were associated with two to four times higher venous thromboembolism risk than type O, and type A was linked to increased gastric cancer risk (pooled OR approximately 1.2).
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