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MTHFR and the risk for cerebral venous thrombosis--a meta-analysis

Liliana O Gouveia1, Patrícia Canhão

  • 1Department of Neurosciences (Neurology), Hospital Santa Maria, Lisboa, Portugal.

Thrombosis Research
|November 21, 2009
PubMed
Abstract

Insights

The methylenotetrahydrofolate reductase (MTHFR) 677TT genotype is not a confirmed risk factor for cerebral venous thrombosis (CVT). Current evidence is insufficient to link this MTHFR variant to an increased risk of CVT.

Area of Science:

  • Genetics
  • Neurology
  • Thrombosis

Background:

  • The link between methylenotetrahydrofolate reductase (MTHFR) 677TT genotype and venous thrombosis risk is unclear.
  • Previous studies on MTHFR 677TT in cerebral venous thrombosis (CVT) have yielded inconclusive results.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To systematically review and pool data from case-control studies.
  • To compare the frequency of the MTHFR 677TT polymorphism in CVT patients versus healthy controls.

Main Methods:

  • Systematic literature search of MEDLINE, Cochrane Library, and ISI Web of Knowledge.
  • Inclusion of nine case-control studies involving 382 CVT patients and 1217 controls.
  • Meta-analysis using Mantel-Haenszel, fixed, and random-effects models to compare genotype frequencies.

Main Results:

  • No significant difference in MTHFR 677TT genotype frequency between CVT patients (15.7%) and controls (14.6%).
  • Pooled odds ratio (OR) was 1.12 (95% CI 0.80 to 1.58; p=0.50), indicating no increased risk.
  • Significant heterogeneity was observed across the included studies.

Conclusions:

  • This meta-analysis indicates insufficient evidence to support MTHFR 677TT genotype as a risk factor for CVT.
  • Further research is needed to identify the causes of CVT in individuals with this polymorphism.

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