RESUMEN
PURPOSE: The aim of this pilot study was to determine the relationship between the beta-fibrinogen G/A-455 single nucleotide polymorphism and the risk of ischemic stroke in Korea because there are racial differences in polymorphisms and Koreans have never been studied before. METHODS: From March to September 2003, we compared 80(male : female=1.2 : 0.8) patients who were diagnosed with ischemic stroke at Kyung Hee university hospital emergency center had been to 150 control subjects. The genotypes of the beta-fibrinogen G/A-455 polymorphism were confirmed by using the polymerase chain reaction (PCR) followed by HaeIII restriction enzyme digestion. RESULTS: The results showed that the patient group had a much higher rate of heterozygotism (GA or AG). A statistical analysis of the genotype frequency showed chi2 to be 6.24, indicating a significant difference between the patient and the control groups (p=0.044). For the allele frequency, the odds ratio was 1.88(95% CI 1.16-3.04), indicating a significant difference between the two groups, and also allele frequency in ischemic stroke patient with or without hyperfibrinogenemia, male sex and smoking history showed odds ratio to be 2.38(95% CI 1.26~4.49), 1.78(95% CI 1.01~3.14)and 1.94(95% CI 1.12~3.35) indicating significant difference. CONCLUSION: The high rate of polymorphisms of the AA genotype of beta-fibrinogen G/A-455 in ischemic stroke patients in our study leads us to the belief of the possibility that beta-fibrinogen G/A-455 polymorphisms in males with a smoking history and hyperfibrinogenemia, if found in advance, could lead to an improved prognosis and reduced clinical expenses by allowing early diagnosis and preventive management.