Risk factors for venous thrombosis in the black population

Raj K. Patel; Elizabeth Ford; Jill Thumpston; Roopen Arya

doi:10.1160/TH03-05-0311

Thrombosis and Haemostasis, Table of Contents

Thromb Haemost 2003; 90(05): 835-838
DOI: 10.1160/TH03-05-0311

Blood Coagulation, Fibrinolysis and Cellular Haemostasis

Schattauer GmbH

Risk factors for venous thrombosis in the black population

Authors

Raj K. Patel

¹Department of Haematological Medicine, King’s College Hospital, London, United Kingdom
Elizabeth Ford

¹Department of Haematological Medicine, King’s College Hospital, London, United Kingdom
Jill Thumpston

¹Department of Haematological Medicine, King’s College Hospital, London, United Kingdom
Roopen Arya

¹Department of Haematological Medicine, King’s College Hospital, London, United Kingdom

Abstract

Summary

Risk factors for venous thrombo-embolism (VTE) in the black population are poorly characterized. Of 142 black cases tested a genetic cause was identified in only 9.1%: 4.2% had protein C deficiency, 2.8% protein S deficiency, 0.7% antithrombin deficiency and 1.4% were heterozygous for FV Leiden. We hypothesised that elevated factor VIII levels constitute a candidate risk factor for venous thrombosis in the black population. Factor VIII (FVIII:C) levels were determined in 100 black patients with VTE and 100 black controls in a case-control study. Of the patients 34% had a FVIII:C above 228 IU/dL (the 90^thcentile value in normal blacks) compared to 10% controls. Relative to those with FVIII:C below this value, odds ratio (OR) for risk of VTE was 4.64 (95% CI 2.02-10.85). When FVIII:C below 150 IU/dL was used as a comparator, OR was 11.1 (95% CI 4.29-29.43). There was evidence for a dose-response relationship. We propose that raised FVIII:C is a major risk factor for VTE in black subjects with prevalence and odds ratio exceeding those reported for white subjects.

Keywords

Venous thrombosis - factor VIII - black - thrombophilia - risk factors

Full Text

References

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