Deep venous thrombosis, inflammatory bowel disease, and protein S deficiency.

The authors observed a patient with severe inflammatory bowel disease (IBD) complicated by ten episodes of deep venous thrombosis (DVT). Her unusual thrombotic tendency prompted further investigation for primary hypercoagulability. A nonfamilial deficiency of Protein S was documented suggesting the deficiency was acquired. This occurrence suggests that low Protein S levels should be considered as a potential etiologic factor in patients with IBD and recurrent DVT.