The Prevalence of Factor V Leiden Mutation in Patients With Leg Ulcers and Venous Insufficiency.
Maessen-Visch, M. Birgette MD; Hamulyak, Karly PhD, MD; Tazelaar, Dignus J. MD; Crombag, Nico H. C. M. N. MD; Neumann, H. A. Martino PhD, MD
[Miscellaneous] Archives of Dermatology. 135(1):41-44, January 1999.

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Objectives: To study the prevalence of factor V Leiden mutation in patients with chronic venous insufficiency and venous leg ulcers, compared with a control group, and to find out whether factor V Leiden mutation is more frequent in patients with chronic venous insufficiency and a history of deep venous thrombosis.

Design: A case control study.

Setting: Three outpatient dermatological clinics.

Patients: Ninety-two patients (37 men, 55 women) with venous leg ulcers and 53 control patients (23 men, 30 women).

Main Outcome Measure: Factor V Leiden mutation.

Results: Factor V Leiden mutation was significantly more frequent in patients with chronic venous insufficiency and venous leg ulcers than in the control group (23% vs 7.5%; P=.03), and the patients with factor V Leiden mutation were more likely to have a history of venous thromboembolism (91% vs 48%, P=.002). Also, recurrent deep venous thrombosis (38% vs 14%) and recurrent leg ulcerations (9 episodes or more) occurred more frequently in the patients with factor V Leiden mutation (43% vs 19%, P=.01). No difference was observed in venous refill time or in the presence of dermatoliposclerosis and atrophie blanche.

Conclusions: Factor V Leiden mutation is more frequent in patients with venous leg ulceration than in the control group and the general population. Patients with factor V Leiden mutation have an increased risk of developing deep venous thrombosis and recurrent leg ulceration.

Arch Dermatol.1999;135:41-44

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