THE VITA PROJECT - C677T MUTATION IN THE METHYLENE-TETRAHYDROFOLATE REDUCTASE GENE AND RISK OF VENOUS THROMBOEMBOLISM

We evaluated the hypothesis that a common polymorphism of the methylen etetrahydrofolate reductase gene (C677T), which results in increased l evels of plasma homocysteine, may be a putative risk factor for venous thromboembolism (VT). Sixty-five cases of VT and 130 controls, both i dentified within the framework of an epidemiologic survey on thromboph ilia, the Vicenza Thrombophilia bophilia and Arteriosclerosis (VITA) P roject, were genotyped for the mutation. No increased risk of VT was f ound in carriers of the mutation. We conclude that screening for the C 677T mutation of the methylenetetrahydrofolate reductase gene should n ot be recommended in unselected patients with VT.