Korean J Dermatol.  2002 Oct;40(10):1203-1211.

A Study of Prevalence of Activated Protein C Resistance and Leiden Mutation among Korean Patients with Venous Ulcers

• Kim JW
• Kim SY
• Lee CJ
• Kim SR

Abstract

BACKGROUND: Recently, resistance to activated protein C(APC) is known to be an important risk factor for venous leg ulcers. Leiden mutation in clotting factor V is the most common genetic defect leading to APC resistance in western countries. Until now, the prevalence of APC resistance and Leiden mutation in Korean patients with venous ulcers has been ill defined.
OBJECTIVE
We performed this study in order to investigate the prevalence of APC resistance and Leiden mutation in Korean patients with venous ulcers.
METHODS
The functional analysis for APC resistance(APC resistance ratio) and genetic study for Leiden mutation were conducted in 40 patients with venous ulcers.
RESULTS
1. Of the 40 patients with venous ulcers, resistance to APC was documented in 11 individuals (27.5%). 2. We could not find factor V Leiden mutation in 40 patients. 3. Patients with APC resistance more frequently represented recurrence of venous ulcers and venous thrombosis than in their non-APC resistant counterparts.
CONCLUSION
APC resistance may be one of the thrombophilic defects in relation with venous ulcers in Korea. However, Leiden mutation may be rare in Korean patients with venous ulcers than in Caucasians. These findings suggested that the other genetic or non-genetic factors may be involved in the pathogenesis of APC resistance in Korea.

Keyword

Activated protein C resistance; Venous ulcers; Leiden mutation

MeSH Terms

Activated Protein C Resistance*
Factor V
Humans
Korea
Leg Ulcer
Prevalence*
Recurrence
Risk Factors
Varicose Ulcer*
Venous Thrombosis
Factor V