Protein C and protein S activities in Behçet's disease as risk factors of thrombosis.

BACKGROUND

In Behçet's disease (BD), there is a marked increase in vascular complications. Approximately 30% of patients with BD suffer from thrombosis of the arteries and veins, varices, aneurysms, and thrombophlebitis of superficial or deep veins. Protein C and Protein S are major inhibitors of coagulation, and it is well known that the deficiency of Protein C and Protein S causes thrombotic disorders.

METHODS

Protein C and Protein S activities were measured in 23 patients with BD and in a control group consisting of 23 age- and sex-matched healthy volunteers. Patients who had received anticoagulant or oral contraceptive drugs, or who had liver disease or active thrombosis, were not included in the study.

RESULTS

Of the 23 patients with BD (age, 13-55 years), the mean Protein S activities (94.2 +/- 11.3%) were slightly lower than the means of the control group (109.1 +/- 8.4%), but not statistically significant differences could be demonstrated (p > 0.05). Compared with the means of the control group (103.5 +/- 6.9%), the Protein C activities were not lower in BD (106.3 +/- 8.4%). No statistical difference was determined.

CONCLUSIONS

Protein C and Protein S deficiencies are not a probable cause of thrombotic manifestations in BD. We do not recommend the measurement of these activities routinely in BD unless thrombosis is the major and primary manifestation of BD.