Association between blood group antigens and rheumatic valve involvement and severity in endemic areas

Abstract

Background: Rheumatic valve disease is an important public health problem in developing countries. We sought to evaluate the possible role of blood antigens as a risk factor for severe rheumatic valve disease. Methods: Two hundred and fifty-four patients with severe rheumatic mitral and/or aortic valve disease with the surgical indication were enrolled to the study. Control group was composed of age and gender matched 2668 healthy volunteers. Results: There were 216 patients with aortic valve involvement and 249 patients with mitral valve involvement. One hundred and seventy-five patients had mitral stenosis, 96 patients had severe mitral regurgitation and 61 patients had severe aortic regurgitation. The distribution of blood groups among patients was as follows: Group A-42.9%, Group B=19.2%, Croup AB =8.6%, and Croup O=29.1%. The distribution of blood groups in the control group was Group A=40.8%, Group B =16.4%, Croup AB=7.6%, and Croup O=35.1%. There was no significant difference between blood groups of patients and controls (p=0.141). Conclusion: Blood group does not seem to be a risk factor for rheumatic valve involvement or severity of the disease. (C) 2013 The Czech Society of Cardiology. Published by Elsevier Urban & Partner Sp.z.o.o. All rights reserved.