The authors have studied 21 patients with Crohn's disease and have looked for signs of platelet and blood coagulation activation, by measuring platelet factor 4, beta thromboglobulin and fibrinopeptide A: a fibrinolytic system study with tissue plasminogen activator assessment has also been made. Beta thromboglobulin, platelet factor 4 and fibrinopeptide A were increased in 80 per cent, 100 per cent and 60 per cent of cases respectively. Beta thromboglobulin was significantly correlated with the Van Hees activity index. Plasminogen before venous stasis was significantly decreased and 9 patients had a plasminogen release defect. The relationship between Crohn's disease and thrombosis might partially be explained by a release of inflammation mediators and/or endotoxins: these mediators might induce thrombosis by interfering with the antithrombogenic properties of the endothelial cell. In conclusion these data prove that active Crohn's disease is currently associated with a prethrombotic state, present biologic tests that might predict a venous or arterial thrombosis at short term are not available.
