Thrombin-activatable fibrinolysis inhibitor polymorphisms and recurrent pregnancy loss.

Objective: To investigate the possible association between selected thrombin-activatable fibrinolysis inhibitor (TAFI) single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) and recurrent pregnancy loss (RPL).
Design: Case-control study.
Setting: University hospital.
Patient(s): One hundred fifty-eight women (86 cases and 72 controls).
Intervention(s): Determination of TAFI SNPs -438A/G, +505A/G, +1040T/C, +1542C/G, and +1583A/T by polymerase chain reaction (PCR) reactions and sequencing analysis performed on peripheral blood samples.
Main Outcome Measure(s): Analysis of the genotype and allele frequencies of TAFI SNPs -438A/G, +505A/G, +1040T/C, +1542C/G, and +1583A/T in women with and without RPL.
Result(s): Genotype and allele frequencies of TAFI +505 and +1583 SNPs were significantly different in women with RPL compared with control women. The frequencies of the +505A/A and +505G/G genotypes were 1.2% and 61.6% in women with RPL and 13.9% and 43.1% in control women, respectively. The frequencies of the +1583A/A and +1583T/T genotypes were 1.2% and 61.6% in women with RPL and 13.9% and 45.8% in control women, respectively. The genotype and allele frequencies at TAFI position -438, +1040, and +1542 were not significantly different between RPL and control women.
Conclusion(s): The SNPs leading to increased TAFI levels are associated with a reduced risk of RPL. It is possible that TAFI is involved in RPL.