The prevalence of protein C, protein S, and antithrombin III deficiency in non-APS/SLE Chinese adults with noncardiac cerebral ischemia

Protein C (PC), protein S (PS), and antithrombin III (ATIII) are vital thrombin antagonists in circulation. However, the prevalence of these natural inhibitors for cerebral ischemia is barely mentioned in the Chinese population. The prevalence of PC, PS, and ATIII deficiency in Chinese adults with cerebral ischemia is reported. The study subjects were free of antiphospholipid antibody syndrome or systemic lupus erythrematosus. Cardiac, liver, and renal function were normal. An overall rate of thrombophilia was 27%. PS deficiency was the most common disorder, followed by PC with PS and PC deficiency. There was only one patient with AT-III deficiency. No gender was specific for thrombophilia. However, PS deficiency was predilected in young adults. A positive correlation between PC and AT-III was achieved in patients with a normal PC activity but not PC deficiency. There was no correlation between AT-III or PS. The odds ratios of PC and PS were 5.29 and 2.86, respectively. Accordingly, an inability for thrombin antagonization by the PC/PS axis may relate to the occurrence of cerebral ischemia in the Chinese population. AT-III seems to display a minor role only.