Factor V leiden mutation in Behçet's disease

Abstract

Background: Behçet's disease is a primary vasculitis of unknown etiology that characterized by high tendency to venous thrombosis. Mechanism of thrombosis remains unknown. A mutation in the coagulation factor V, namely FV Leiden (FV-L, Factor V. Arg506Gln) has been found to be strongly associated with venous thrombosis. Methods: In this study we examined the frequency of FV-L mutation in our patients with Behçet's disease by using polymerase chain reaction. Thirty patients with Behçet's disease were included in this study and 12 of them have had also deep venous thrombosis that was demonstrated by Doppler ultrasonography. Results: FV-L mutation was found in 7 of 30 (23.3%) patients with Behçet's disease while in 23 of 264(8.7%)healthy controls(p=0.02). Five of 12(42%) Behçet's disease patients with venous thrombosis had FV-L mutation while only 2 (11%) patients without venous thrombosis had FV-L mutation that was not significant (p=0.06). Conclusion: We conclude that the frequency of FV-L mutation in Behçet's disease is higher than that of normal population. FV-L appears to be an additional risk factor for the development of venous thrombosis in Behçet's disease.