Introduction: Recently, the common Val34Leu polymorphism of the A-chain factor XIII gene, associated with high factor XIII activity, has been identified as a protective genetic factor against occlusive arterial and venous diseases. Moreover, this polymorphism has been suggested to be the first one to increase the risk of cerebral haemorrhage in a small number of Caucasian patients. The aim of our study was to investigate the role of this polymorphism in patients with primary intracerebral haemorrhage from a distinct population.
Material and methods: Patients with non-traumatic primary intracerebral haemorrhage (n=116), age-, race-, sex- and risk factor-matched controls (n=116), and individuals from the general population (n=465) were genotyped for the factor XIII Val34Leu polymorphism by polymerase chain reaction and allele specific restriction assay. The relationships of the Val/Leu genotype with distinct intracerebral haemorrhagic risk factors and with early mortality associated with the haemorrhagic episode were also analysed.
Results: No statistical difference in terms of prevalence was detected between patients (P=0.190) and controls (P=0.181). The frequency of the FXIII Leu34 allele was similar in the general population (P=0.191).
Conclusion: The results suggest that the Leu 34 allele of the A-chain factor XIII gene has a minor role in the development of non-traumatic primary intracerebral haemorrhage. Moreover, the simultaneous presence of the Leu 34 allele with selected risk factors for this disease does not increase the risk of developing this disease.