Research finds association between genetic variants and venous thrombosis in women

Reported by Susan Aldridge, PhD, medical journalist

Five genetic variants are linked to the risk of developing venous thrombosis in women, according to a new study.
Venous thrombosis, where a blood clot forms in the veins of the leg, can lead to a dangerous and potentially fatal complication called pulmonary embolism. This happens when the clot travels to the lungs and lodges there. Researchers at the University of Seattle now report upon the genetic factor in venous embolism.

They looked at genetic variants within the blood clotting genes among a group of 349 perimenopausal and postmenopausal women who had had a venous thrombosis. The group was compared to another group, comprising 1,680 women who had not had a venous thrombosis. Analysis revealed that there were five variants in clotting genes - three of which had never been previously reported - that were linked to a risk of venous thrombosis. The findings suggest that genetic analysis may make it possible to identify those women most at risk of venous thrombosis and maybe offer them preventive treatment.

Source
Journal of the American Medical Association 7th February 2007 Volume 297 pages 529-531