The clinical expression of prothrombin thrombophilia is variable. Many individuals who are heterozygous or homozygous for the F2
20210G>A variant never develop thrombosis. While most individuals with prothrombin thrombophilia do not experience a first thrombotic event until adulthood, some have recurrent VTE before age 30 years.
Venous Thromboembolism (VTE)
The primary clinical manifestation of prothrombin thrombophilia is VTE. The relative risk for VTE is increased two- to fivefold in 20210G>A heterozygotes [Gohil et al 2009, Lijfering et al 2009, Rosendaal & Reitsma 2009]. Deep-vein thrombosis (DVT) and pulmonary embolism (PE) are the most common VTE. The most common site for DVT is the legs, but upper-extremity thrombosis also occurs.
Among individuals with DVT, 20210G>A heterozygotes had a significantly higher rate of PE (32%) than those with the factor V Leiden variant (19%) or those without thrombophilia (17%). 20210G>A heterozygotes are also at increased risk of developing isolated PE [Martinelli et al 2006] and may develop VTE at a younger age than individuals without the variant [Martinelli et al 2006].
Upper-extremity thrombosis. Heterozygosity for 20210G>A is associated with a three- to sixfold increased risk for upper-extremity thrombosis [Martinelli et al 2004, Blom et al 2005a, Linnemann et al 2008]. Women heterozygous for 20210G>A who were using oral contraceptives had a nine- to 14-fold increased risk for idiopathic upper-extremity thrombosis [Martinelli et al 2004, Blom et al 2005a].
Cerebral venous thrombosis. 20210G>A heterozygosity is associated with a six- to tenfold increased risk for cerebral venous thrombosis [Dentali et al 2006, Lauw et al 2013, Gonzalez et al 2016]. The combination with this variant and other acquired risk factors greatly increases this risk. Women heterozygous for 20210G>A who used oral contraceptives had an 80- to 150-fold increased relative risk for cerebral venous thrombosis [Martinelli et al 1998].
Hepatic thrombosis and portal vein thrombosis. 20210G>A heterozygosity was associated with a fourfold increased risk for both idiopathic and liver disease-associated portal vein thrombosis [Dentali et al 2008a]. In contrast, a meta-analysis found that 20210G>A heterozygosity did not significantly increase the risk for hepatic vein thrombosis (Budd Chiari Syndrome) [Zhang et al 2014].
Thrombosis in unusual locations. Retinal vein thrombosis and other ocular thrombotic events have been reported in 20210G>A heterozygotes [Glueck & Wang 2009], although the association is much weaker than with DVT and/or PE. The risk for superficial venous thrombosis was increased nearly fourfold in 20210G>A heterozygotes [Martinelli et al 1999a]. These events are much less common than DVT or PE, and there is no evidence that identification of a 20210G>A variant should alter management [Tait et al 2012].
Risk for VTE in children. VTE in children is multifactorial, and is caused by acquired clinical risk factors, underlying medical conditions, and inherited predisposition to thrombosis [Klaassen et al 2015, van Ommen & Nowak-Göttl 2017, Nowak-Göttl et al 2018]. The most common clinical risk factors for thrombosis in children are central venous catheters and malignancy. Additional risk factors are present at the time of VTE in 92% [Young et al 2003, Young et al 2008].
Asymptomatic healthy children heterozygous or homozygous for 20210G>A are at low risk for thrombosis. Heterozygous children were found to have a three- to fourfold increase in relative risk for VTE [Junker et al 1999, Schobess et al 1999]. The relative risk for VTE was increased more than ninefold in children with two or more inherited thrombophilic disorders [Young et al 2008]. Other studies also found a higher risk in children compound heterozygous for the 20210G>A and factor V Leiden variants or with the 20210G>A variant in combination with other inherited thrombophilic disorders [Junker et al 1999, Young et al 2003]. Other reported manifestations in children include cerebral venous thrombosis [Kenet et al 2010] and hepatic, portal, and retinal vein thromboses.
Recurrent thrombosis. Due to conflicting data it is unclear to what extent the 20210G>A variant increases the risk of recurrent VTE. If there is an increased risk of recurrent thrombosis after initial treatment of a first VTE, the magnitude of the increase is small [Kyrle et al 2010, Berg et al 2011]. In children inherited thrombophilia appears to have at most a modest effect on the risk of recurrence, similar to the findings in adults [Klaassen et al 2015]. A two- to threefold increase in recurrence risk has been reported [Young et al 2009].
During pregnancy women with a prior history of VTE have an increased recurrence risk ranging from 0% to 15% in published studies. The risk is higher in women with a prior unprovoked episode or an estrogen-related VTE, and in those with coexisting genetic or acquired risk factors [Brill-Edwards et al 2000]. No studies have specifically evaluated the risk for recurrent VTE in pregnant women with a 20210G>A variant.
Pregnancy complications. It is unlikely that 20210G>A heterozygosity is a major factor contributing to pregnancy loss and other adverse pregnancy outcomes (e.g., preeclampsia, fetal growth restriction, placental abruption). Although multiple retrospective studies have suggested a modest increased risk of fetal loss, most prospective studies have not confirmed an association. The available data suggest that 20210G>A heterozygosity is associated with at most a two- to threefold increased relative risk for pregnancy loss [Rey et al 2003, Robertson et al 2006]. The association with preeclampsia, fetal growth restriction, and placental abruption is more controversial. At most, a 20210G>A variant is one of multiple largely unknown genetic and environmental predisposing factors contributing to these complications.
Homozygosity for 20210G>A variant. The risk of VTE is likely higher in individuals who are homozygous for the 20210G>A variant but the absolute risk has not been defined due to lack of data. 20210G>A homozygotes may develop thrombosis more frequently and at a younger age. The annual incidence of recurrent VTE was 12%/year in persons homozygous for 20210G>A, compared to 2.8% in those without a 20210G>A or factor V Leiden variant [González-Porras et al 2006]. Numerous reports of asymptomatic 20210G>A homozygotes emphasize the contribution of other genetic and acquired risk factors to thrombosis [Ridker et al 1999].