This investigation was part of the Rotterdam Study, an ongoing, population-based cohort study. Liver stiffness (LS) was measured using transient elastography (Fibroscan®) and associated with single nucleotide polymorphisms determining blood group type and presence of the Factor V Leiden (FVL) mutation or prothrombin G20210A gene variant.
<h4 id="absSec_3">Resultsh4>Reliable LS measurements and genetic data were obtained from 1055 Caucasian participants. LS ⩾8.0 kPa, suggestive of clinically relevant fibrosis, was observed in 101 subjects (9.6%). Presence of FVL or prothrombin G20210A was independently associated with an increased risk of LS ⩾8.0 kPa (OR 2.09, 95%CI 1.07–4.07, p = 0.03). Combination of blood group type non-O and the FVL mutation or prothrombin G20210A variant resulted in an even higher risk of LS ⩾8.0 kPa (OR 3.36, 95%CI 1.50–7.56, p = 0.003). Presence of the FVL mutation or prothrombin G20210A variant in participants with blood group non-O was associated with a predicted probability of 14.3% (7.7–23.8) of LS ⩾8.0 kPa.
<h4 id="absSec_4">Conclusionsh4>Participants carrying the FVL mutation or prothrombin G20210A variant have an increased risk of clinically relevant liver fibrosis, which is even higher in blood group type non-O carriers. The fact that genetic prothrombotic risk factors are associated with an increased risk of liver fibrosis suggests that coagulation plays an important role in fibrogenesis in the general population.