Changes in blood rheology caused by Crohn's disease.
BACKGROUND
Patients with Crohn's disease (CD) are at increased risk for thromboembolism, and multifocal microvascular infarction has even been suggested as a pathogenetic mechanism in CD. Abnormalities in blood rheology may contribute to the thromboembolism.


OBJECTIVE
To assess blood rheology in CD patients.


METHODS
Prospective evaluation of rheological parameters.


METHODS
Out-patients at the gastroenterological department of a university hospital.


METHODS
Thirty-seven patients with inactive CD (Crohn's disease activity index (CDAI) < 150), 31 patients with active CD (CDAI > 150), and 39 control subjects with no CD were included in the study.


METHODS
C-reactive protein and orosomucoid were used as serum inflammatory parameters. Fibrinogen, red cell aggregation (low shear, 3/s) and plasma viscosity were used as rheological parameters.


RESULTS
Fibrinogen (active CD: median 530 mg/dl (interquartile range 410-630); inactive CD: 377 (316-499); and controls: 246 (220-280)), red cell aggregation (active CD: 9.97 arb. units (8.58-11.77); inactive CD: 9.03 (7.25-10.37); controls: 7.58 (7-8.52)); and plasma viscosity (active CD: 1.82 mPa.s (1.68-1.95); inactive CD: 1.72 (1.65-1.82), controls: 1.61 (1.58-1.64)) were all significantly higher in patients with active and inactive CD than they were in controls. Additionally, fibrinogen was significantly higher in patients with active CD than it was in patients with inactive CD. The rheological parameters correlated with serum inflammatory parameters.


CONCLUSIONS
Changes in blood rheology seem to be associated with inflammatory activity in patients with CD. These changes may be involved in the development of thromboembolism and the pathogenesis of mucosal inflammation, especially in patients with high inflammatory activity.
Novacek
G
G
Department of Internal Medicine IV, University of Vienna, Austria.
Vogelsang
H
H
Genser
D
D
Moser
G
G
Gangl
A
A
Ehringer
H
H
Koppensteiner
R
R
D000328:Adult; D001809:Blood Viscosity / Q000502:physiology*; D002097:C-Reactive Protein / Q000032:analysis*; D003424:Crohn Disease / Q000097:blood* / Q000503:physiopathology; D004903:Erythrocyte Aggregation / Q000502:physiology*; D005260:Female; D005340:Fibrinogen / Q000032:analysis*; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D011446:Prospective Studies; D012016:Reference Values; D012212:Rheology; D012307:Risk Factors; D013923:Thromboembolism / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000209:etiology*
D005340:Fibrinogen; D002097:C-Reactive Protein