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The first ambulatory screening on thromboembolism: a multicentre, cross‐sectional, observational study on risk factors for venous thromboembolism
Author(s) -
DI MINNO G.,
MANNUCCI P. M.,
TUFANO A.,
PALARETI G.,
MOIA M.,
BACCAGLINI U.,
RUDELLI G.,
GIUDICI G. A.
Publication year - 2005
Publication title -
journal of thrombosis and haemostasis
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 1.947
H-Index - 178
eISSN - 1538-7836
pISSN - 1538-7933
DOI - 10.1111/j.1538-7836.2005.01458.x
Subject(s) - medicine , risk factor , cross sectional study , pulmonary embolism , family history , deep vein , observational study , miscarriage , varicose veins , cohort study , thrombosis , ambulatory , pediatrics , gynecology , pregnancy , surgery , pathology , biology , genetics
Summary. Objectives: To assess the prevalence of risk factors for venous thromboembolism (VTE) and the prevalence of recent (<1 year) VTE [including superficial vein thrombosis (SVT), deep vein thrombosis (DVT) and pulmonary embolism (PE)] amongst patients attending general practitioner (GP) surgeries. Design: Multicentre, cross‐sectional, observational study. Setting: A total of 1536 GP surgeries. Participants: A total of 15 180 adult, co‐operative subjects, who had consulted their GP for a health disorder and signed the informed consent form. Interventions: None. Main outcome measures: Prevalence of known VTE risk factors graded according to importance and prevalence of recent (<1 year) VTE events (including SVT), based on interviews. Results: About 1:5 patients had at least one strong risk factor and about 1:20 had at least two risk factors, with no difference between sexes. The prevalence of strong risk factors increased with age. Most were related to medical conditions: history of SVT and/or DVT/PE, heart failure and malignancy. About 3:4 women and 2:3 men had at least one moderate to weak risk factor; nearly 1:2 women and 1:3 men had at least two moderate to weak risk factors. The most common were: history of VTE, smoking, history of miscarriage, estrogen therapy, obesity, and varicose veins. Overall, 80% women and 67% men had at least one risk factor, and 50% women and 35% men had at least two risk factors. The prevalence of recent (<1 year) VTE was 3.4% in women and 2.4% in men, and increased with age. The majority of cases were SVT in both sexes (2.5% in women and 1.5% in men). Conclusions: The prevalence of risk factors for VTE amongst patients attending GP surgeries is high. GPs should bear this in mind during their daily practice.