Activated protein C-resistance caused by factor V gene mutation: a common coagulation defect in chronic venous leg ulcers

Twenty-three patients with venous leg ulcers were studied, in addition to 23 normal healthy controls. Activated protein C resistance [APCR] was determined by functional assay based on the activated partial thromboplastin time [APTT]. Then, patients with an abnormally low APC ratio were subjected to molecular analysis for the confirmation of factor V Leiden. APC resistance was detected in nine of 23 patients. However, only five of nine patients were found to be heterozygous for factor V Leiden mutation. Factor V Leiden mutation was significantly more frequent in patients with chronic venous insufficiency and venous leg ulcers than in the control group. Patients with factor V Leiden mutation were more likely to have a history of venous thrombosis than the non-affected ones. The recurrent leg ulceration occurred more frequently in patients with factor V Leiden mutation than those without mutation

Soluble E-selectin and thrombomodulin in patients with Behcet disease

Soluble E-selectin and soluble form of thrombomodulin [sTM] were evaluated by ELISAs in plasma from 18 patients with Behcet's disease [BD] during activity [10 extensive BD and 8 with only mucocutaneous involvement] and during remission in addition to 18 age and sex matched healthy subjects. A statistically significant increase was found in the mean levels of sE-selectin and sTM in BD during activity compared with those during remission and those in the healthy subjects. A statistically significant increase was found in the mean levels of sE-selectin and sTM in BD compared with those of BD with only mucocutaneous lesions. A statistically significant increase was found more in the mean levels of sE-selectin and sTM in patients with mucocutaneous lesions only than those in patients during remission and the healthy subjects. No statistically significant difference was found between the mean levels of sE-selectin and sTM in BD during remission compared with those in the healthy subjects. A statistically significant positive correlation of sE-selectin with sTM was found in the active cases only