Congenital fibrinogen disorders: a retrospective clinical and genetic analysis of the Prospective Rare Bleeding Disorders Database

Abstract

Congenital fibrinogen deficiency (CFD) is a rare bleeding disorder caused by mutations in FGA, FGB and FGG. We sought to comprehensively characterize patients with CFD using PRO-RBDD (Prospective Rare Bleeding Disorders Database). Clinical phenotypes, laboratory and genetic features were investigated using retrospective data from the PRO-RBDD. Patients were classified from asymptomatic to grade III based on their bleeding severity. In addition, FGA, FGB and FGG were sequenced to find causative variants. A total of 166 CFD cases from 16 countries were included, of whom 123 (30 afibrinogenemia, 33 hypofibrinogenemia, 55 dysfibrinogenemia, 5 hypodysfibrinogenemia) were well characterized. Considering the previously established factor activity and antigen level thresholds, bleeding severity was correctly identified in 58% of cases. The rate of thrombotic events among afibrinogenemic and hypofibrinogenemic patients were relatively similar (11% and 10%) and surprisingly higher than in dysfibrinogenemic cases. The rate of spontaneous abortions among 68 pregnancies was 31%, including 86% in dysfibrinogenemic women and 14% with hypofibrinogenemia. 86 patients received treatment (69 on-demand and/or 17 on prophylaxis), fibrinogen concentrates being the most frequently used product. Genetic analysis was available for 91 cases and 41 distinct variants were identified. Hotspot variants (FGG, p.Arg301Cys/His and FGA, p.Arg35Cys/His) were present in 51% of dysfibrinogenemia. Obstetric complications were commonly observed in dysfibrinogenemia. This large multicenter study provided a comprehensive insight into the clinical, laboratory and genetics of patients with CFDs. We conclude that bleeding severity grades were in agreement with the established factor activity threshold in nearly half of the cases with quantitative defects.

Rare inherited coagulation disorders: no longer orphan and neglected

“…While there is concern regarding the risk of thrombosis associated with FRT, establishing a causal relationship between the 2 events is elusive [ 9 ]. FRT-related thrombosis was reported in 2 afibrinogenemic cases in the context of a systemic review and in an additional afibrinogenemic case in the Prospective Rare Bleeding Disorders Database (Pro-RBDD) study [ 22 , 23 ]. Patients with a history of thrombosis should be considered for thromboprophylaxis with low-molecular-weight heparins when undergoing FRT [ 17 ], particularly at the time of conditions associated with hypercoagulability such as surgery and pregnancy/parturition.…”

“…Also, patients with hypofibrinogenemia and dysfibrinogenemia may experience obstetrical complications [ 4 , 23 ]. Therefore, they require prophylaxis if they have a history of bleeding or fibrinogen levels of less than 100 mg/dL.…”