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Protein C, protein S and antithrombin III deficiencies in retinal vein occlusion
O Tekeli1, E Gürsel, H Buyurgan
1Ankara Numune Hospital, 2. Eye Clinic Ankara, Turkey. tekeli@dialup.ankara.edu.tr
Insights
Deficiency in anticoagulant proteins like protein C may contribute to retinal vein occlusion. Measuring these levels could help prevent other blood clots.
Area of Science:
- Ophthalmology
- Hematology
- Vascular Medicine
Background:
- Retinal vein occlusion (RVO) is a significant cause of vision loss.
- The role of coagulation factors in RVO pathogenesis requires further investigation.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the association between decreased levels of protein C, protein S, and antithrombin III and the occurrence of branch retinal vein occlusion (BRVO) and central retinal vein occlusion (CRVO).
- To determine if deficiencies in these anticoagulant proteins are risk factors for RVO.
Main Methods:
- A case-control study involving 45 patients diagnosed with RVO (14 CRVO, 31 BRVO) and 20 healthy controls.
- Concentrations of protein C, protein S, and antithrombin III were measured in all participants.
Main Results:
- No reduced levels of protein C, protein S, or antithrombin III were observed in the control group.
- Protein C deficiency was found in 6 CRVO patients and 3 BRVO patients.
- A statistically significant difference in the incidence of protein C deficiency was noted between CRVO and BRVO groups (p<0.05).
Conclusions:
- Deficiency of anticoagulant proteins, particularly protein C, may be implicated in the etiology of retinal vein occlusion.
- Assessing levels of protein C, protein S, and antithrombin III could aid in identifying individuals at risk for venous thrombosis in other parts of the body.
Purpose:
The role of decreased levels of protein C, protein S and antithrombin III were investigated in patients with branch and central retinal vein occlusion.
Methods:
Forty-five patients with retinal vein occlusion and 20 healthy subjects as a control group was studied. Fourteen patients (31%) had central retinal vein occlusion and 31 (69%) had branch retinal vein occlusion. The concentrations of protein C, protein S and antithrombin III were measured.
Results:
Plasma levels of protein C, protein S and antithrombin III were not reduced in the control group. Six of the 14 central retinal vein occlusion cases and 3 of the 31 retinal branch vein occlusion cases had decreased levels of protein C. One of the 14 central retinal vein occlusion cases and 1 of the 31 retinal branch vein occlusion cases had decreased levels of protein S. Antithrombin III was reduced in 1 patient of the 31 retinal branch vein occlusions. We found statistically significant differences for number of cases with protein C deficiency between the central retinal vein occlusion cases and the branch retinal vein occlusion cases (p<0.05).
Conclusion:
Deficiency of anticoagulant proteins, especially protein C, may play a role in the etiology of retinal vein occlusion. Measurement of these parameters may be useful in preventing venous thrombosis elsewhere in the body.