Prevalence of factor V Leiden and G6PD 1311 silent mutations in Dalmatian population

BACKGROUND: Factor V Leiden has been described as a common genetic risk factor for venous thromboembolism. The geographic distribution of this abnormality varies greatly, being high in Europe and almost absent in Asia and Africa. Particularly high prevalence is observed in some Mediterranean countries, which suggests the Mediterranean origin of this mutation. Similarly, prevalence of silent mutation 1311 of the G6PD gene seems to be higher among Mediterranean populations. Since the Dalmatian population (of south Croatia) geographically belongs to the Mediterranean populations we analyzed the prevalence of FV-Leiden and silent mutation 1311 in this region. Furthermore, because the coincidence of G6PD deficiency and venous thromboembolism was described earlier, we tested a possible association of FV-Leiden and G6PD deficiency. METHODS: One hundred sixty-eight healthy blood donors and 55 G6PD deficient individuals originating from the Dalmatian region were tested for the presence of FV-Leiden mutation and silent mutation 1311. RESULTS: Prevalence of FV-Leiden among blood donors was 2.4%, while among G6PD deficient individuals it was significantly higher, 11% (p=0.011). Prevalence of silent mutation 1311 among blood donors and G6PD deficient individuals was 21 and 15%, respectively. CONCLUSIONS: Observed allele frequencies among individuals originating from the Dalmatian region is similar to the neighboring European and Mediterranean populations. Interestingly, our results indicate the association of the FV-Leiden and G6PD deficiency and warrant further studies.