No association between pulmonary embolism or deep vein thrombosis and the -455G/A beta-fibrinogen gene polymorphism
Camilleri, R.S.; Cohen, H.
Blood Coagulation and Fibrinolysis An International Journal in Haemostasis and Thrombosis 16(3): 193-198
2005
ISSN/ISBN: 0957-5235 PMID: 15795538 Document Number: 589021
Hyperfibrinogenaemia has been reported to be associated with deep vein thrombosis (DVT). However, whether or not the 'fibrinogen-raising' -455G/A polymorphism of the beta-fibrinogen gene is associated with DVT is uncertain and there are no data on whether this polymorphism is associated with pulmonary embolism (PE). We have studied relationships between the -455G/A P-fibrinogen gene polymorphism and the occurrence of PE and/or DVT (n = 339) (PE only, n = 76; DVT only, n = 216; PE and DVT, n = 47). There was no difference between the -455A allelic frequencies for the control (n = 190) and patient groups PE, 0.187 and 0.171, respectively [P = 0.6087, chi(2) test; odds ratio (OR), 1.12; 95% confidence interval (0), 0.72-1.74]; DVT, 0.187 and 0.171, respectively (P = 0.5408, chi(2) test; OR, 1.11; 95% CI, 0.78-1.59). This also applied when only Caucasian individuals were considered - PE allelic 2 frequencies, 0.192 and 0.193, respectively (P= 0.9764, chi(2) test; OR, 0.99; 95% Cl, 0.62-1.60); DVT allelic frequencies, 0.192 and 0.186, respectively (P= 0.8404, chi(2) test;OR, 1.04; 95% CI, 0.71-1.51). While the results should be interpreted with caution as the frequency of the -455A allele is rare, the -455A allele of the beta-fibrinogen gene does not appear to be associated with an increased risk of PE or DVT. (c) 2005 Lippincott Williams & Wilkins.