Deep vein thrombosis and pulmonary embolism in two cohorts: the longitudinal investigation of thromboembolism etiology

Am J Med. 2004 Jul 1;117(1):19-25. doi: 10.1016/j.amjmed.2004.01.018.

Abstract

Purpose: To determine the incidence of deep vein thrombosis and pulmonary embolism in two cohorts representing regions of the United States.

Methods: The sample comprised 21,680 participants of the Atherosclerosis Risk in Communities study and the Cardiovascular Health Study. Subjects were aged >/=45 years, resided in six communities, and were followed for 7.6 years. All hospitalizations were identified and thromboses were validated by chart review.

Results: The age-standardized incidence of first-time venous thromboembolism was 1.92 per 1000 person-years. Rates were higher in men than women, and increased with age in both sexes. There was no antecedent trauma, surgery, immobilization, or diagnosis of cancer for 48% (175/366) of events. The 28-day case-fatality rate was 11% (29/265) after a first venous thromboembolism and 25% (17/67) for cancer-associated thrombosis. The recurrence rate 2 years after a first venous thromboembolism was 7.7% per year (95% confidence interval [CI]: 4.5% to 10.9% per year). Cancer was the only factor independently associated with 28-day fatality (relative risk [RR] = 5.2; 95% CI: 1.4 to 19.9) or recurrent thrombosis (RR = 9.2; 95% CI: 2.0 to 41.7).

Conclusion: The incidence of venous thromboembolism in this cohort of middle- and older-aged subjects was similar to that observed in more geographically homogeneous samples. Half of cases were idiopathic. Short-term mortality and 2-year recurrence rates were appreciable, especially among subjects with cancer. Based on this study we estimate that 187,000 cases of first-time venous thromboembolism are diagnosed yearly in the United States among those aged 45 years or older.

Publication types

  • Research Support, U.S. Gov't, P.H.S.

MeSH terms

  • Aged
  • Case-Control Studies
  • Cohort Studies
  • Female
  • Follow-Up Studies
  • Humans
  • Incidence
  • Male
  • Middle Aged
  • Neoplasms / complications
  • Neoplasms / epidemiology
  • Population Surveillance
  • Pulmonary Embolism / epidemiology*
  • Pulmonary Embolism / etiology
  • Pulmonary Embolism / mortality
  • Recurrence
  • Risk Factors
  • Survival Rate
  • Venous Thrombosis / epidemiology*
  • Venous Thrombosis / etiology