Apolipoprotein E polymorphism is associated with lower extremity deep venous thrombosis: color-flow Doppler ultrasound evaluation.
BACKGROUND
Apolipoprotein E (apoE) is a member of apolipoprotein family, and its gene polymorphisms seem to have some impact among patients with cardiovascular disease. However, its role in the lower extremity deep venous thrombosis (LEDVT) has not been well studied. The objective of this study was to investigate the potential association between APOE gene polymorphisms and LEDVT.


METHODS
A hospital-based case-control study was conducted in 300 patients with LEDVT by color-flow Doppler ultrasound and 300 age- and gender-matched healthy controls. Polymerase chain reaction restriction fragment length polymorphism (PCR-RFLP) assay was applied to assess the APOE gene polymorphisms.


RESULTS
Patients with LEDVT had a significantly higher frequency of APOE E3/E4 genotype [odds ratio (OR) =1.48, 95% confidence interval (CI) = 1.05, 2.10; P = 0.03] than healthy controls. When stratifying by family history of LEDVT, it was found that patients with positive family history of LEDVT had a significantly higher frequency of APOE E3/E4 genotype (OR =1.68, 95% CI = 1.04, 0.95; P = 2.70). When stratifying by smoking status, presence of varicose veins, type 2 diabetes mellitus and any hormone administration before, no significant differences were found in any groups.


CONCLUSIONS
Our study suggested that APOE E3/E4 genotype was associated with a higher LEDVT risk. Additional studies are needed to confirm this finding.
Shuangli
S
Zhu
Institute of Ultrasound Imaging, The Second Affiliated Hospital, Chongqing Medical University, 76 Riverside Road, Yuzhong District, Chongqing 400010, P, R, China. zgwangzg@hotmail.com.
ZhiGang
Z
Wang
XiaoPing
X
Wu
Yan
Y
Shu
DunXiang
D
Lu
D000328:Adult; D001057:Apolipoproteins E / Q000235:genetics*; D016022:Case-Control Studies; D005260:Female; D005787:Gene Frequency; D056726:Genetic Association Studies; D020022:Genetic Predisposition to Disease; D006801:Humans; D007866:Leg / Q000098:blood supply; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D011110:Polymorphism, Genetic; D020033:Protein Isoforms / Q000235:genetics; D018615:Ultrasonography, Doppler, Color; D020246:Venous Thrombosis / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging / Q000235:genetics*
D001057:Apolipoproteins E; D020033:Protein Isoforms