THROMBOTIC VASCULAR RISK-FACTORS IN INFLAMMATORY BOWEL-DISEASE

Background--Thrombosis may be an important effector mechanism in the p athogenesis of Crohn's disease. Methods-This study therefore investiga ted the prevalence of independent thrombotic risk factors (factor VII coagulant activity, lipoprotein (a), fibrinogen, plasma triglycerides, and smoking) in patients with Crohn's disease, ulcerative colitis, an d normal controls. Results-In Crohn's disease (n=75), the mean plasma VII:C, lipoprotein (a) and fibrinogen concentrations were significantl y greater than in the normal population (n=85). In ulcerative colitis (n=35), only the mean factor VII:C concentration was significantly hig her than normal. Ninety three per cent of patients with Crohn's diseas e and 86% of those with ulcerative colitis had at least one risk facto r for thrombotic vascular disease, compared with 61% of the normal pop ulation (p<0.001). Conclusions-In many young patients with inflammator y bowel disease, plasma concentrations of these prothrombotic factors were in excess of the limits that are regarded as posing an increased risk for the development of occlusive vascular disease.