Association between ApoE4 allele and deep venous thrombosis: a pilot study

Clin Appl Thromb Hemost. 2011 Apr;17(2):225-8. doi: 10.1177/1076029609348646. Epub 2009 Oct 13.

Abstract

Introduction: Deep vein thrombosis (DVT) is a multifactorial disease with genetic and acquired risk factors playing in concert in its pathogenesis. ApoE gene polymorphisms seem to have some impact among patients with cardiovascular disease; however, association between DVT and ApoE gene polymorphism has not been evaluated.

Materials and methods: We aimed to search the relative frequencies ApoE alleles among patients with DVT and healthy participants. We enrolled 59 consecutive patients with DVT and 59 age- and sex-matched healthy controls.

Results: In the DVT group, E3/E4 gene polymorphism was detected in 20 patients (33.9%), in the control group E3/E4 polymorphism was detected in six patients (10.2%; P = .002). In the multivariable regression analysis, E3/E4 was independently associated with 1.31-fold increased risk of DVT (odds ratio [OR] 1.31; 95% confidence interval [CI], 1.30-10.48).

Conclusion: It seems there is a relationship between ApoE3/E4 gene polymorphism and DVT in the Turkish population. However, this pilot study should be supported with large-scale studies.

MeSH terms

  • Adult
  • Aged
  • Alleles*
  • Apolipoprotein E4 / metabolism*
  • Case-Control Studies
  • Female
  • Humans
  • Male
  • Middle Aged
  • Pilot Projects
  • Polymorphism, Genetic*
  • Risk Factors
  • Turkey
  • Venous Thrombosis / genetics*

Substances

  • Apolipoprotein E4