Raised Plasma Fibrinogen Concentrations in Subjects Attending a Metabolic Ward - Relation to Family History and Vascular Risk Factors

Summary

We have evaluated plasma fibrinogen levels in 171 subjects attending a metabolic ward. As in the general population, a significant difference in plasma fibrinogen concentrations (p <0.05) was found between subjects with diabetes mellitus or hypertension and those without. However, fibrinogen was also abnormally high (p <0.05) when evaluated according to the presence of a family history of ischemic complications of atherosclerosis (p <0.05). In this setting, fibrinogen correlated with diabetes mellitus or hypertension as well as with familial risk, and the latter interacted with hypertension (p <0.05) in accounting for plasma fibrinogen.

The relationships between certain fibrinogen genotypes and familial risk have then been evaluated. Analysis of a locus (1.3 kb, HAE III digestion) of the promoter region of the BB fibrinogen gene, identified a polymorphic cutting site. The allele with the alternative restriction site (HI) was associated with mean fibrinogen levels which were 0.1-0.3 g/1 lower than those associated with the other allele (H2). This difference was not statistically significant. No obvious association was found between the familial risk and the presence of the H2 allele. We conclude that in a group of subjects from a metabolic ward, a positive family history for ischemic complications of atherosclerosis is consistently associated with high plasma fibrinogen levels. Interaction with hypertension significantly strengthens the association.

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