The 1691 (G>A) factor V Leiden (FVL) and 20210 (G>A) prothrombin (PT) mutations are the two most common genetic risk factors in venous thromboembolism. The 677 (C>T) methylene tetrahydrofolate reductase (MTHFR) mutation is the most frequently mentioned as an independent genetic risk factor for venous thromboembolism. As there are limited published data on the prevalence of the 1691, 20210 and 677 mutations in our population, the aim of this study was to determine the frequencies and association of these deep vein thrombosis mutations in the Bosnian population. This study included 111 thromboembolic patients and 207 healthy subjects with absence of known risk factors for venous thromboembolism. Genotyping of the 1691, 20210 and 677 mutations was done by polymerase chain reaction (PCR), followed by restriction digestion with MnlI, HindIII and HinfI enzymes. Out of the 111 patients, 18.0% were heterozygous and 2.70% were homozygous for the 1691 mutation. Among 207 healthy controls, 3.86%, were heterozygous for the 1691 mutation. This study confirmed the association of the 1691 mutation with deep vein thrombosis in the Bosnian population odds ratio (OR) [95% confidence interval (CI)] = 6.0 (2.62-14.14); p = 0.0001). The 20210 mutation was detected in 2.70% of patients and it was totally absent in the control group. Allele and genotype frequency of 677 did not differ significantly between the cases and controls (χ2 = 1.03; p = 0.309).
Keywords: 1691 (G>A) factor V Leiden (FVL); 20210 (G>A) prothrombin (PT); 677 (C>T) methylene tetrahydrofolate reductase (MTHFR).