| • To date there are several genetic association studies that identify genetic risk factors that explain a portion of the inter-individual variability of plasma fibrinogen levels. |
• We replicate previous well-known associations as well as identify three novel associations with variants in this cluster with plasma fibrinogen in a population-based setting, NHANES. |
| • Genetic variants in the fibrinogen gene cluster are associated with variable levels of plasma fibrinogen in African Americans and European descent populations. |
• To date there are no genetic association studies performed with fibrinogen variants in Mexican Americans. Our study tests previous associations initially described in African Americans and Europeans in Mexican Americans. |
| • Most genetic association studies test for an association with variants in the fibrinogen gene cluster and plasma fibrinogen; however, the possibility of pleiotropic effects with these variants have yet to be explored. |
• We are the first to test and/or report an association with these fibrinogen variants and hematological traits: mean platelet volume, platelet count, platelet distribution width, white blood cell count, and serum triglycerides. We report nine novel associations with variants in the fibrinogen cluster and these haematological traits. |
