Superficial thrombophlebitis in varicose vein disease: the particular role of methylenetetrahydrofolate reductase

[Impact of the Reflux Origin on the Clinical Stage and Surgical Decision in Primary Varicose Veins]

Reflux and recirculation in primary varicose veins are not yet completely understood, and the contribution of perforator veins is dual.Reflux origin was assessed as junctional (JP, reflux of the greater saphenous junction or groin recurrences) with/without suspect perforator veins (SPV), or perforator phenotype (PP, reflux from SPV only or for statistical purposes from the small saphenous vein). Flow direction and intensity were recorded under Valsalva (JP) or as spontaneous/under distal compression/decompression (SPV) and weighted with one/two points as reflux/reentry, respectively, in the case of SPV. We compared the origin and extent of axial reflux and diameter/flow direction of SPV with the clinical stage by multivariate analysis.Of 107 limbs, 68 presented with JP, 49 combined with SPV, and 39 with PP. CEAP C3-C6 was associated with the presence of SPV (JP and PP) in 45/65 (11/22) limbs with primaries (recurrences) or in 3/16 (0/4), p < 0.01 (p = 0.01), without SPV. C4-C6 at first manifestation, however, was more frequent in JP and axial reflux below the knee in 14/39 limbs (p = 0.01) or above the knee in 3/11 (p = 0.12) compared with PP (5/31). SPV flow at first manifestation was reentry in the case of JP and axial reflux below the knee (estimate -1.62, p = 0.02) or above the knee (0.29, p = 0.81) compared with PP, but diameter of the most dilated perforator vein was higher in the case of JP and axial reflux above the knee (estimate 0.20, p < 0.01) or below the knee (0.04, p = 0.30) compared with PP. Predominant SPV flow was reentry/reflux during peripheral compression/decompression, respectively (p = 0.009).The data suggest that the reflux origin and extent of axial reflux are associated with diameter/flow direction of SPV and clinical stage in primary varicose veins.

Polymorphisms in the MTHFR and MTR genes and the risk of varicose veins in ethnical Russians

OBJECTIVES

The objective of this study was to study the association of polymorphisms MTHFR C677T (rs1801133) and MTR A2756G (rs1805087) with the risk of varicose veins in ethnical Russians.

METHODS

We genotyped 475 patients with varicose veins, 168 individual without chronic venous disease, and the population-based group of 896 subjects. Association was studied using logistic regression analysis adopting co-dominant, additive, recessive, and dominant models of inheritance.

RESULTS

None of the polymorphisms showed a statistically significant association with the risk of varicose veins.

CONCLUSIONS

Our results provide evidence that the studied polymorphisms do not contribute to genetic susceptibility to varicose veins in ethnical Russians.

Morphology and Progression in Primary Varicose Vein Disorder Due to 677C>T and 1298A>C Variants of MTHFR

Background

Clinical assessment and prognostic stratification of primary varicose veins have remained controversial and the molecular pathogenesis is unknown. Previous data have suggested a contribution of the MTHFR (methylenetetrahydrofolate reductase) polymorphism c.677C>T.

Methods

We collected blood and vein specimens from 159 consecutive patients undergoing varicose vein surgery, or autologous vein reconstruction for arterial occlusive disease as controls. We compared the frequencies of c.677C>T and another polymorphism of MTHFR, c.1298A>C, with morphology and types of complicated disease. Morphology was recorded as a trunk or perforator type and peripheral congestive complication was defined as chronic venous insufficiency (CEAP C3–6) associated with edema and skin manifestations.

Findings

Multivariate analysis of genotypes for c.677C>T and c.1298A>C indicated that c.677C>T was associated significantly with the trunk phenotype (43/53 patients, 81%, p < 0.01), while c.1298A>C was associated significantly with the perforator phenotype (18/24 patients, 75%, p < 0.01) of primary varicose veins. Accordingly, when both c.677C>T and c.1298A>C displayed a heterozygous genotype, the patients were more likely to present with both phenotypes. Additionally, c.1298A>C was found to be strongly linked to the congestive complication (34/51 patients, 67%, p < 0.01).

Interpretation

Both polymorphisms of MTHFR may be involved in the morphological specification of primary varicose veins and contribute to the development of complicated disease.

Funding

None.

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MTHFR polymorphism c.677C>T characterizes axial trunk and c.1298A>C perforator type morphology in primary varicose veins.

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Mutant genotypes are associated with complicated phenotypes of the disease.

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Genetic hint for distinct perforator type morphology associating further with congestive (CEAP C3–6) disease is provided.

Potential risk factors for varicose veins with superficial venous reflux

The objective of the study is to evaluate a range of potential risk factors in the etiology of varicose veins with superficial venous reflux. Forty-nine patients attending a cardiovascular surgery clinic for the management of varicose disease between 2009 and 2010 were enrolled for the study. The age range of the patient group was 44,04 ± 15,05 years and female/male (F/M) ratio was 30/19. Twenty-six normal, healthy volunteers with the age of 40,94 ± 13,60 years and with the female/male ratio of 15/11 acted as control subjects. We investigated several parameters including body mass index, age, birth number > 1, standing for a long time (standing for 8 or more hours without taking a break), systemic diseases, family history, venous Doppler fındings, the levels of homocysteine, ferritin, vitamin B12, and hemoglobin, sedimentation rate, mean corpuscular volume, low density lipoprotein, and rheumatoid factor of the patient group and the control group. We also determined the contribution of the methylene tetrahydrofolate reductase 677 C>T and 1298 A>C gene polymorphisms and FV Leiden in both groups. In this small study, there appears to be no association between varicose veins and body mass index, smoking, type 2 DM, hypertension, family history, and birth number. A history of increased standing duration period (>8 hours) and rheumatoid factor positivity have association with varicose veins with superficial venous reflux.

Factors associated with the development of superficial vein thrombosis in patients with varicose veins

INTRODUCTION

Superficial vein thrombosis (SVT) is a common and controversial clinical entity. Recent studies have demonstrated that SVT should be seen as a venous thromboembolism (VTE). The objective of this study was to investigate the prevalence of thrombophilia defects and to estimate the role of age, sex and body mass index (BMI) in patients with varicose veins (VVs) and SVT.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

A total of 230 patients with VVs, 128 with, and 102 without SVT underwent thrombophilia testing included factor V Leiden, prothrombin G20210A, methylenetetrahydrofolate reductase and plasminogen activator inhibitor- 1 mutations, protein C, protein S (PS), anti-thrombin III and plasminogen deficiencies and levels of A2 antiplasmin, activate protein C resistance and lupus anticoagulant. According to Clinical-Etiology-Anatomy-Pathophysiology (CEAP) classification patients were categorized in two subgroups: moderate disease (C2,3) and severe disease (C4,5,6). Age and body mass index were also assessed.

RESULTS

The prevalence of thrombophilia defects was significantly higher in patients with moderate disease and SVT (p=0.002). In the C2,3 group, SVT was associated with PS deficiency (p=0.018), obesity (p<0.001), male gender (p=0.047) and age (p<0.001). There were no significant differences in patients with severe disease.

CONCLUSIONS

Age, male sex, obesity and PS deficiency are factors associated with SVT development among patients with VVs having moderate disease (C2,3).