Hyperhomocysteinaemia and factor V Leiden mutation are associated with Budd-Chiari syndrome

Diagnosis and treatment guidelines for aberrant portal hemodynamics: The Aberrant Portal Hemodynamics Study Group supported by the Ministry of Health, Labor and Welfare of Japan

Idiopathic portal hypertension (IPH), causing aberrant portal hemodynamics, is a disease with an as yet unidentified cause and no established treatment protocol. The Japanese research group on IPH in Japan was set up in 1975 by the Ministry of Health, Labor and Welfare. Extrahepatic portal obstruction and Budd-Chiari syndrome (BCS) have since been added to the group's research subjects. The aims of the research group are to accurately evaluate the current status of the three diseases in Japan, elucidate their etiology and pathogenesis, and develop new treatments. Due to the long-term efforts of the Japanese research group, aberrant portal hemodynamics has been investigated in a variety of aspects, from epidemiological and pathological studies to molecular biology analyses. As a result, it has been shown that there are abnormal genes in the liver, specific for IPH. In addition, pathological findings of BCS were internationally compared and the difference in findings between Japan and Europe (or North America) has been clarified. Furthermore, it was found that complication rates of hepatocellular carcinoma in BCS were higher in Japan. Based on the research, "Diagnosis and treatment of aberrant portal hemodynamics (2001)", including diagnostic criteria for aberrant portal hemodynamics, was published in 2001. In 2013, it was revised to "Diagnosis and treatment guidelines for aberrant portal hemodynamics (2013)" after the incorporation of diagnosis and treatment in accordance with its current status.

Review article: the aetiology of primary Budd-Chiari syndrome - differences between the West and China

BACKGROUND

China may have the largest number of Budd-Chiari syndrome (BCS) cases in the world (at least 1914 original papers were published, and at least 20 191 BCS patients were reported). Considering the discrepancy in the clinical profiles and preferred treatment selection of primary BCS between the West and China, understanding its aetiology in these two different regions is very important.

AIM

To review the data from large cohort studies and meta-analyses to illustrate the epidemiology of risk factors for BCS in the West and China.

METHODS

Relevant papers were identified by major English- and Chinese-language databases, conference abstracts, and by manual search.

RESULTS

Risk factors reviewed include myeloproliferative neoplasms (MPNs) and their related gene mutations, anti-phospholipid syndrome, paroxysmal nocturnal haemoglobinuria (PNH), hyperhomocysteinaemia and 5,10-methylenetetrahydrofolate reductase (MTHFR) C677T mutation, factor V Leiden (FVL) and prothrombin G20210A mutations, inherited anti-thrombin, protein C and protein S deficiencies, pregnancy and puerperium, poverty, and family history.

CONCLUSIONS

We examined the differences in the aetiological distribution of BCS between the West and China. Several recommendations should be considered in Chinese BCS patients: (i) screening for hyperhomocysteinaemia and MTHFR mutation should be regularly performed; (ii) screening for MPNs, PNH, and anti-phospholipid syndrome should be selectively performed; (iii) inherited anti-thrombin, protein C, and protein S deficiencies should be actively explored; (iv) screening for FVL and prothrombin G20210A mutations may be unnecessary; and (v) the clinical significance of pregnancy and puerperium, poverty with bacterial infections and unsanitary environments, and family history as possible risk factors should never be neglected.

Methylenetetrahydrofolate reductase C677T gene mutation and hyperhomocysteinemia in Budd-Chiari syndrome and portal vein thrombosis: A systematic review and meta-analysis of observational studies

AIM

A systematic review and meta-analysis were conducted to explore the role of the methylenetetrahydrofolate reductase (MTHFR) C677T gene mutation and hyperhomocysteinemia in patients with Budd-Chiari syndrome (BCS) and portal vein thrombosis (PVT).

METHODS

PubMed, EMBASE, Cochrane Library and ScienceDirect databases were searched. Eligible studies should compare the prevalence of the MTHFR C677T mutation or hyperhomocysteinemia or the homocysteine levels between BCS or non-cirrhotic PVT patients and healthy controls or between cirrhotic patients with and without PVT. A pooled odds ratio or weighted mean difference with 95% confidence interval was calculated.

RESULTS

Of the 484 articles retrieved, 20 were included. BCS and non-cirrhotic PVT patients had a higher prevalence of homozygous MTHFR mutation than healthy controls. The difference was statistically significant in BCS patients, but not in non-cirrhotic PVT patients. BCS and non-cirrhotic PVT patients had a significantly higher prevalence of hyperhomocysteinemia and homocysteine level than healthy controls. Cirrhotic patients with PVT had a significantly higher prevalence of homozygous MTHFR mutation than those without PVT. However, the association between homocysteine level and PVT in cirrhotic patients was inconsistent among three studies.

CONCLUSION

Homozygous MTHFR mutation and hyperhomocysteinemia may be associated with the occurrence of BCS and non-cirrhotic PVT. In addition, homozygous MTHFR mutation may increase the risk of PVT in cirrhotic patients. However, the current evidence failed to support the association of hyperhomocysteinemia with PVT in cirrhotic patients.

Associations of coagulation factor V Leiden and prothrombin G20210A mutations with Budd-Chiari syndrome and portal vein thrombosis: a systematic review and meta-analysis

BACKGROUND & AIMS

We conducted a systematic review and meta-analysis to evaluate the associations of the coagulation factor V (encoded by F5) Leiden (FVL) or prothrombin (encoded by F2) G20210A mutation with Budd-Chiari syndrome or portal vein thrombosis (PVT).

METHODS

Relevant articles were identified in searches of the PubMed, EMBASE, Cochrane Library, and ScienceDirect databases. The prevalence of the FVL and prothrombin G20210A mutations were compared between patients with Budd-Chiari syndrome or PVT without cirrhosis and healthy individuals (controls) and between patients with cirrhosis, with and without PVT. Odds ratios (ORs) with 95% confidence intervals (CIs) were calculated.

RESULTS

We initially identified 869 articles, and included 27 in our final analysis. Compared with controls, patients with Budd-Chiari syndrome had a significantly higher prevalence of the FVL mutation (OR, 6.21; 95% CI, 3.93-9.79) and a similar prevalence of the prothrombin G20210A mutation (OR, 1.90; 95% CI, 0.69-5.23); patients with PVT without cirrhosis had a significantly higher prevalence of the FVL mutation (OR, 1.85; 95% CI, 1.09-3.13) or the prothrombin G20210A mutation (OR, 5.01; 95% CI, 3.03-8.30). Compared with patients with cirrhosis without PVT, patients with cirrhosis and PVT had a significantly higher prevalence of the FVL mutation (OR, 2.55; 95% CI, 1.29-5.07). We observed a trend toward a higher prevalence of the prothrombin G20210A mutation in patients with cirrhosis and PVT, but the difference was not statistically significant (OR, 2.93; 95% CI, 0.94-9.07).

CONCLUSIONS

Based on a meta-analysis, the FVL mutation is associated with an increased risk of Budd-Chiari syndrome, PVT without cirrhosis, and PVT in cirrhosis. The prothrombin G20210A mutation is associated with PVT, but not Budd-Chiari syndrome. Studies are needed to confirm these findings in different racial and ethnic groups.

Risk of Budd-Chiari syndrome associated with factor V Leiden and G20210A prothrombin mutation: a meta-analysis

Background

Various studies have demonstrated that factor V Leiden (FVL) and G20210A prothrombin mutation contribute to the risk of Budd-Chiari syndrome (BCS), while other studies provided conflicting findings. In order to derive more precise estimations of the relationships, a meta-analysis was performed.

Methods

Eligible articles were identified through search of databases including Pubmed, Chinese Biomedical Database (CBM, Chinese), and Chinese National Knowledge Infrastructure (CNKI, Chinese). Odd ratios (ORs) with 95% confidence intervals (CIs) were calculated using random- or fixed- model.

Results

Finally, twelve studies were included for FVL and nine studies were included for G20210A prothrombin mutation. With respect to FVL, significantly increased BCS risk was found in the overall population (OR = 6.29, 95%CI = 4.23–9.36). Subgroup analyses suggested that FVL was associated with an increased risk of BCS in the population with high background mutation prevalence (>1% in the normal population). No significant association was found between BCS and G20210A prothrombin mutation (OR = 1.78, 95%CI = 0.77–4.11).

Conclusion

The presence of FVL should be evaluated in patients with BCS. Conversely, G20210A prothrombin mutation is not significantly associated with risk of BCS. Large-scale well designed studies are necessary to be conducted to further confirm or refute the observed association.

Eighteen years of liver transplantation experience in patients with advanced Budd-Chiari syndrome

The long-term results of liver transplantation for Budd-Chiari syndrome (BCS) and timely indication for the procedure are still under debate. Innovations in interventional therapy and better understanding of underlying diseases have improved therapy strategies. The aim of this study was the analysis of patient and disease characteristics, outcome, and specific complications. Between September 1988 and December 2006 we performed 42 orthotopic liver transplantations (OLTs) in 39 patients with BCS. A total of 29 (74%) women and 10 men (26%) had a median age of 35 years; the median follow-up period was 96 months. Etiologically, 27 patients had a preoperative diagnosis of hematologic disease, including myeloproliferative disorders (MPD), followed by factor V Leiden mutation and antiphospholipid syndrome. The actuarial 5-year and 10-year survival rates were 89.4% and 83.5%, respectively, compared to 80.7% and 71.4%, respectively, for other indications (n = 1742). Retransplantation was necessary in 3 patients (7.1%) with portal vein thrombosis or recurrent BCS. Although the number of bleeding events was similar, incidence of vascular complications was significantly higher in patients with BCS. Thrombosis of the portal vein was observed in 4.8% versus 0.8% of the patients, whereas liver veins were affected in 7.1% versus 0.2%. Our data shows that severe acute or chronic forms of BCS with liver failure can be successfully treated by OLT. Despite higher rates of vascular complications, patient and graft survival are similar or even better compared to other indication groups. In conclusion, patients with reversible hepatic damage should be treated by combined strategies, including medical therapy and surgical or interventional shunting.