Absence of factor V Leiden mutation in Koreans

Osteonecrosis of the Femoral Head in Patients with Hypercoagulability-From Pathophysiology to Therapeutic Implications

Osteonecrosis of the femoral head (ONFH) is a debilitating disease with major social and economic impacts. It frequently affects relatively young adults and has a predilection for rapid progression to femoral head collapse and end-stage hip arthritis. If not diagnosed and treated properly in the early stages, ONFH has devastating consequences and leads to mandatory total hip arthroplasty. The pathophysiology of non-traumatic ONFH is very complex and not fully understood. While multiple risk factors have been associated with secondary ONFH, there are still many cases in which a clear etiology cannot be established. Recognition of the prothrombotic state as part of the etiopathogeny of primary ONFH provides an opportunity for early medical intervention, with implications for both prophylaxis and therapy aimed at slowing or stopping the progression of the disease. Hereditary thrombophilia and hypofibrinolysis are associated with thrombotic occlusion of bone vessels. Anticoagulant treatment can change the natural course of the disease and improve patients' quality of life. The present work focused on highlighting the association between hereditary thrombophilia/hypofibrinolysis states and ONFH, emphasizing the importance of identifying this condition. We have also provided strong arguments to support the efficiency and safety of anticoagulant treatment in the early stages of the disease, encouraging etiological diagnosis and prompt therapeutic intervention. In the era of direct oral anticoagulants, new therapeutic options have become available, enabling better long-term compliance.

Diagnosis and Treatment of Lower Extremity Deep Vein Thrombosis: Korean Practice Guidelines

Lower extremity deep vein thrombosis is a serious medical condition that can result in death or major disability due to pulmonary embolism or post-thrombotic syndrome. Appropriate diagnosis and treatment are required to improve symptoms and salvage the affected limb. Early thrombus clearance rapidly resolves symptoms related to venous obstruction, restores valve function and reduces the incidence of post-thrombotic syndrome. Recently, endovascular treatment has been established as a standard method for early thrombus removal. However, there are a variety of views regarding the indications and procedures among medical institutions and operators. Therefore, we intend to provide evidence-based guidelines for diagnosis and treatment of lower extremity deep vein thrombosis by multidisciplinary consensus. These guidelines are the result of a close collaboration between interventional radiologists and vascular surgeons. The goals of these guidelines are to improve treatment, to serve as a guide to the clinician, and consequently to contribute to public health care.

Potential Risk Factors Associated With Vascular Diseases in Patients Receiving Treatment for Hypertension

Background

Currently, the hypertension (HTN) patients undergo appropriate medical treatment, and traditional risk factors are highly controlled. Therefore, potential risk factors of atherosclerotic vascular diseases (AVD) and venous thromboembolisms (VTE) in HTN should be reconsidered. We investigated thrombophilic genetic mutations and existing biomarkers for AVD or VTE in HTN patients receiving treatment.

Methods

A total of 183 patients were enrolled: AVD with HTN (group A, n=45), VTE with HTN (group B, n=62), and HTN patients without any vascular diseases (group C, n=76). The lipid profile, homocysteine (Hcy) levels, D-dimers, fibrinogen, antithrombin, lupus anticoagulant, and anti-cardiolipin antibody (aCL) were evaluated. Prothrombin G20210A, Factor V G1691A, and methylenetetrahydrofolate reductase (MTHFR) C677T and A1298C were analyzed.

Results

All patients revealed wild type prothrombin G20210A and Factor V G1691A polymorphisms. The frequency of MTHFR polymorphisms was 677CT (n=84, 45.9%); 677TT (n=46, 25.1%); 1298AC (n=46, 25.1%); and 1298CC (n=2, 1.1%). The MTHFR 677TT genotype tended to increase the odds ratio (OR) to AVD events in HTN patients (OR 2.648, confidence interval 0.982-7.143, P=0.05). The group A demonstrated significantly higher Hcy levels (P=0.009), fibrinogen (P=0.004), and platelet counts (P=0.04) than group C. Group B had significantly higher levels of D-dimers (P=0.0001), platelet count (P=0.0002), and aCL (P=0.02) frequency than group C.

Conclusions

The MTHFR 677TT genotype and Hcy level could be potential risk factors associated with development of AVD in HTN patients receiving treatment. D-dimer and aCL might be useful to estimate the occurrence of VTE in them.

Single nucleotide polymorphisms other than factor V Leiden are associated with coagulopathy and osteonecrosis of the femoral head in Chinese patients

Single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) of factor V Leiden have been associated with osteonecrosis of the femoral head (ONFH) in Caucasians but remains controversial in Asians. We used an SNP microarray to screen 55 loci of factor V gene in patients with ONFH of Chinese. Significantly different candidate SNPs at 14 loci were analyzed in 146 patients and 116 healthy controls using MALDI-TOF (matrix-assisted laser desorption/ionization time-of-flight) mass spectrometry and gene sequencing. The factor V Leiden (rs6025) was not found in all participants. Six SNP loci (rs9332595, rs6020, rs9332647, rs3766110, rs10919186, and rs12040141) were confirmed with significant differences in patients but not in controls. The rs6020 G-to-A polymorphism was found in 88.9% of the patients. In addition, a high percentage (87.6%) of the patients had an abnormal coagulation profile that included hyperfibrinogen, elevated fibrinogen degradation products, elevated D-dimer, abnormal protein S, abnormal protein C, or a decrease in anti-thrombin III. Patients with the rs6020 G-to-A polymorphism (mutation) had a higher risk (odds ratio: 4.62; 95% confidence interval: 1.44-14.8) of having coagulation abnormalities than did those without the mutation (wild-type) (χ(2) p  =  0.006). Our findings suggested that the rs6020 polymorphism might be the genetic trait that accounts for the higher prevalence of ONFH in the Chinese population than in Westerners. Exposure to risk factors such as alcohol and steroids in patients with the rs6020 polymorphism causes coagulation abnormalities and, subsequently, thromboembolisms in the femoral head.

Polymorphisms in Factor II and Factor V thrombophilia genes among Circassians in Jordan

Thrombosis is a major cause of morbidity and mortality worldwide. Genetic factors are one component of thrombosis. We studied the prevalence of two mutations that are known risk factors in the pathogenesis of arterial and venous thrombosis in the genetically isolated Circassian population in Jordan. Factor II G20210A and Factor V Leiden single nucleotide polymorphisms were analysed by polymerase chain reaction and restriction fragment length polymorphism method in 104 random unrelated subjects from the Circassian population in Jordan. The prevalence rates among the Circassian population in Jordan for Factor II G20210A was 12.2% and for Factor V Leiden was 7.7%. We have shown that the population is in Hardy-Weinberg equilibrium and that the prevalences of both mutations are within the range of other ethnic groups. This is the first study to describe Circassian health related genetic characteristics in Jordan. Such population-based studies will contribute to understanding the interaction between genetic and environmental risk factors. It will remain to be seen whether carriers of Factor II G20210A and Factor V Leiden are more likely to develop thrombosis. This issue should be studied in the future to determine the need for screening of these mutations particularly in thrombophilia patients.

Meta-analysis of Factor V Leiden G1691A polymorphism and osteonecrosis of femoral head susceptibility

Testing for genetic risk associations between Factor V Leiden (FVL) and the osteonecrosis of femoral head (ONFH) is common, however, inconsistent results have been previously obtained. To summarize results on the association of FVL mutation polymorphism with ONFH in various populations and to calculate the overall genetic risk factors, we performed a search of electronic databases including PubMed, Elsevier Science Direct, Chinese National Knowledge Infrastructure and the Chinese Biomedical Database to identify published studies correlating the FVL mutation with ONFH. Statistical analysis was performed using Review Manager (RevMan) version 5.0 and Stata statistical software (version 10). We identified 57 titles and included 7 studies comprising 481 cases and 867 controls in this meta-analysis. The groups were pooled, and a significant association between FVL mutation and increased ONFH was found (OR=4.55, 95% CI, 2.75-7.52, P<0.00001). This meta-analysis demonstrated that FVL plays an important role in non-Asian populations. Large sample studies including different ethnic groups and age- and gender-matched groups, as well as multiple gene polymorphism detection should be considered to clarify the association of FVL mutation polymorphism and ONFH susceptibility in the future.

Activated protein C anticoagulant system dysfunction and thrombophilia in Asia

Thrombophilia that is common among Caucasians is caused by genetic polymorphisms of coagulation factor V Leiden (R506Q) and prothrombin G20210A. Unlike that in Caucasians, thrombophilia that is common in the Japanese and Chinese involve dysfunction of the activated protein C (APC) anticoagulant system caused by abnormal protein S and protein C molecules. Approximately 50% of Japanese and Chinese individuals who develop venous thrombosis have reduced activities of protein S. The abnormal sites causing the protein S molecule abnormalities are distributed throughout the protein S gene, PROS1. One of the most common abnormalities is protein S Tokushima (K155E), which accounts for about 30% of the protein S molecule abnormalities in the Japanese. Whether APC dysfunction occurs in other Asian countries is an important aspect of mapping thrombophilia among Asians. International surveys using an accurate assay system are needed to determine this.

Estimated incidence of acute pulmonary embolism in a Korean hospital

Patients with acute pulmonary embolism (PE) were identified retrospectively from patients hospitalized during a 2-year period from 2005 to 2007. Among adult patients (≥20 years), the incidence of established acute PE was 88 (0.17%) of 50 882 in Dongsan Hospital. The incidence of acute PE at Dongsan Hospital was 26% lower than that at Henry Ford Hospital (P < .01). Among patients more than 50 years of age, PE was more frequent in women (0.32%; 95% CI, 0.24-0.4) than in men (0.15%; 95% CI, 0.1-0.21; P < .01). Among all patients with PE older than 20 years of age, 68 (0.21%) of 31 869 (95% CI, 0.17-0.26) were from the medical service and 18 (0.08%) of 23 139 (95% CI, 0.04-0.11; P < .01) were from the surgical service. The estimated incidence of PE in a university teaching hospital in Korea was 0.17%, it was about two thirds of that in North America.

The Prevalence of Methylenetetrahydrofolate Reductase 677 C-T, Factor V 1691 G-A, and Prothrombin 20210 G-A Mutations in Healthy Populations in Sétif, Algeria

The polymorphic mutation 677 C-T in the methylenetetrahydrofolate reductase (MTHFR) gene presents a heterogeneous worldwide distribution and is associated with different disorders such as cardiovascular disease. Its frequency shows great ethnic and geographic variations. The aim of this work is to determine the frequency of MTHFR 677 C-T and coexistence of MTHFR 677 C-T with 2 other common, hereditary thrombophilia causes—namely, factor V 1691 G-A and prothrombin (PT) 20210 G-A mutation—in the Sétif region of Algeria. The study involved 147 apparently healthy participants (82 men and 65 women). Genotyping was carried out by a real-time polymerase chain reaction. The MTHFR 677T carrier frequency was found to be 54.4% (80/147); 59 individuals were heterozygous (40.1%), and 21 were homozygous (14.3%). The frequency of MTHFR 677T was found to be 34.3%. Among the 147 individuals, 3 (2.0%) had factor V Leiden, and 5 (3.4%) had PT 20210 A mutation. Of the 80 participants with MTHFR 677T mutation, 2 had heterozygote factor V 1691 G-A gene mutation, and 4 had heterozygote PT 20210 G-A gene mutation. The results showed that MTHFR 677T prevalence is quite high: an allelic frequency of 34.3% with a genotype frequency of 14.3%. Factor V 1691 G-A and PT 20210 G-A gene mutations are rare in the healthy population of the Sétif region of Algeria.

Genetic background of nontraumatic osteonecrosis of the femoral head in the Korean population

Major thrombophilic mutations have been identified as risk factors for nontraumatic osteonecrosis of the femoral head (ONFH) in Caucasians. We asked whether the genetic background of patients with ONFH in the Korean population was similar. We analyzed factor V G1691A mutation (factor V Leiden), prothrombin G20210A mutation, and methylenetetrahydrofolate reductase C677T and A1298C polymorphisms in 71 patients (53 men, 18 women) with ONFH. We classified these patients as 51 alcohol-induced, 18 idiopathic, one steroid-induced, and one dysbaric. We recruited 200 normal control subjects (128 men, 72 women). We used multiplex PCR/restriction fragment length polymorphism for each genotyping. We observed neither factor V Leiden nor prothrombin G20210A mutation. Although methylenetetrahydrofolate reductase A1298C genotypes were not associated with osteonecrosis, methylenetetrahydrofolate reductase C677T variant genotypes increased the risk of ONFH compared with 677CC. Odds ratios of 677CT and 677CT+TT were 2.00 (95% confidence interval, 1.05-3.81) and 1.96 (95% confidence interval, 1.07-3.59), respectively, compared with 677CC. Our data suggest methylenetetrahydrofolate reductase C677T polymorphism plays a role in the pathogenesis of osteonecrosis in the Korean population. It also implies the genetic risk profile of ONFH may differ among ethnic populations.

Varied Prevalence of Factor V G1691A (Leiden) and Prothrombin G20210A Single Nucleotide Polymorphisms Among Arabs

BACKGROUND

Factor V G1691A (FV-Leiden) and prothrombin (PRT) G20210A single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) are major inherited risk factors of venous thromboembolism. In view of the heterogeneity in their world distribution and lack of sufficient information about their distribution among Arabs, we addressed the prevalence of both SNPs in 4 distinct Arab populations (Lebanon, Tunisia, Bahrain, and Saudi Arabia).

METHODS

Study subjects comprised 698 Lebanese, 313 Tunisian, 194 Bahraini, and 149 Saudi Arabian healthy subjects; genotyping was done by PCR-RFLP using Mnl I and Hind III for FV-Leiden and PRT G20210A, respectively.

RESULTS

The prevalence of the mutant A alleles of FV-Leiden and PRT G20210A were significantly higher among Lebanese (0.0788 and 0.0136) and Tunisians (0.0351 and 0.0128), as compared to Bahraini (0.0155 and 0.0052) and Saudi (0.0101 and 0.000) subjects. Higher frequency of the FV-Leiden G/A and A/A genotypes were seen in Lebanon (13.8 and 1.0%), followed by Tunisia (5.8 and 0.6%), Bahrain (3.1 and 0.0%) and Saudi Arabia ((2.0 and 0.0%). All PRT G20210A positive cases were in the heterozygote (G/A) state, and these comprised 3.6% for Lebanon, 2.6% for Tunisia, 1.0% for Bahrain. The carrier rate of FV-Leiden was significantly higher among Lebanese compared to the other populations (p < 0.001), while the difference in the prevalence of FV-Leiden between the other populations was not statistically different. With the exception of Lebanese-Saudi (p = 0.038), the prevalence of PRT G20210A was similar among the study communities. Furthermore, the overall average genetic differentiation between populations (estimated with the F(ST)) was 0.0022 for FV-Leiden and 0.005 for PRT G20210A.

CONCLUSIONS

These results further confirm the heterogeneity in FV-Leiden and PRT G20210A distribution among Arabs, and recommend potential institution of prophylactic measures for carriers of either or both SNPs.

The prevalence of factor V R506Q mutation-Leiden among apparently healthy Lebanese

Resistance to activated protein C (APC) degradation caused by a specific point mutation in the factor V (FV) gene, FV:R506Q or FV-Leiden, which replaces Arg506 with Gln at the APC cleavage site within the FV gene, is the most prevalent inherited caused of venous thrombosis. Recent reports suggested that the prevalence of FV-Leiden is high among Caucasians, and very low among non-Caucasians, thereby suggesting that FV-Leiden has originated as a single event in a primary focus. Insofar as FV-Leiden is associated with increased risk of thromboembolic diseases, coupled with its selective worldwide distribution, the aim of this study was to determine the prevalence of FV-Leiden in Lebanon and compare it with those of other countries of Caucasian and non-Caucasian origin. FV-Leiden was determined by PCR, followed by hybridization with specific wild-type and mutant DNA probes. By screening 174 healthy Lebanese subjects, 25 were shown to carry the FV-Leiden mutation, giving an allele frequency of 7.4% and an overall prevalence rate of 14.4%. Of the 25 FV-Leiden carriers, 24 were in the heterozygous state while one was in the homozygous states. No statistical difference in the FV-Leiden prevalence was noted with respect to age, gender, or sect. In addition to Lebanon, which had the highest prevalence rate reported thus far (14.4%), a high prevalence of FV-Leiden was reported for Syria (13.6%), Greece-Cyprus (13.4%), and Jordan (12.3%), an indication that the Eastern Mediterranean is the primary focus of FV-Leiden mutation. The high prevalence of FV-Leiden in Lebanon suggests that screening for this mutation must be considered for those with a family history, and/or those with additional risk factors for venous thrombosis.