High plasma concentration of factor VIII coagulant is also a risk factor for venous thromboembolism in the elderly.
OBJECTIVE
A high level of coagulant factor VIII is a well known risk factor for venous thromboembolism, but most studies have enrolled patients under 70 years old. This study aimed to test the hypothesis that an association also exists in the elderly.


METHODS
This hospital-based case-referent study took place at the Department of Internal Medicine and Chest Diseases, University Hospital, Brest, France. We enrolled 161 patients with a first episode of venous thrombosis and 239 subjects, referred for a clinical suspicion of venous thromboembolism which was subsequently ruled out. Factor VIII coagulant activity and plasma fibrinogen concentration were measured.


RESULTS
High factor VIII coagulant activity was significantly associated with venous thromboembolism, irrespective of the age group. Patients over 70 years with factor VIII coagulant activity above 225% had a 2.4-fold increased risk of venous thromboembolism compared to those patients with levels below 130% (age- and fibrinogen-adjusted odds ratio: 2.6, 95% CI 1.1 to 6.1).


CONCLUSIONS
Our results show that high levels of factor VIII coagulant, a determinant of venous thrombosis in adulthood, is also a risk factor in the elderly.
Oger
Emmanuel
E
Department of Internal Medicine and Chest Diseases, Hôpital de la Cavale Blanche, F-29609 Brest Cedex, France. emmanuel.oger@chu-brest.fr
Lacut
Karine
K
Van Dreden
Patrick
P
Bressollette
Luc
L
Abgrall
Jean-François
JF
Blouch
Marie-Thérèse
MT
Scarabin
Pierre-Yves
PY
Mottier
Dominique
D
D000367:Age Factors; D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D005169:Factor VIII / Q000032:analysis*; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D012307:Risk Factors; D013923:Thromboembolism / Q000097:blood / Q000453:epidemiology* / Q000209:etiology; D020246:Venous Thrombosis / Q000097:blood / Q000453:epidemiology* / Q000209:etiology
D005169:Factor VIII