Variation in plasma fibrinogen over one year: relationships with genetic polymorphisms and non-genetic factors

We analyzed plasma fibrinogen level in relation to genetic polymorphisms in the alpha- and beta-fibrinogen gene loci. Furthermore, the association of other CVD risk markers with fibrinogen was studied twice, with a time interval of one year in 50 to 60 year old men (n = 183). DNA polymorphisms were detected by PCR and digestion with Taq I (alpha-fibrinogen), Hind III and Bcl I (beta-fibrinogen) restriction enzymes. The correlation coefficient between fibrinogen measurements was 0.48 (p < 0.001). Blood leucocytes and waist-to-hip circumference ratio were the strongest correlates of fibrinogen level in both examinations, and the changes in leucocyte count and plasma fibrinogen correlated positively (r = 0.40, p < 0.001). In Eastern Finnish men, the Taq I, Hind III or Bcl I restriction fragment length polymorphisms of the alpha- or beta-fibrinogen gene loci did not associate with fibrinogen level, either cross-sectionally or longitudinally.