The first ambulatory screening on thromboembolism: a multicentre, cross-sectional, observational study on risk factors for venous thromboembolism.
OBJECTIVE
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.


METHODS
Multicentre, cross-sectional, observational study.


METHODS
A total of 1536 GP surgeries.


METHODS
A total of 15 180 adult, co-operative subjects, who had consulted their GP for a health disorder and signed the informed consent form.


METHODS
None.


METHODS
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.
Di Minno
G
G
Department of Experimental and Clinical Medicine, Policlinico Federico II, University of Naples, Naples, Italy. diminno@unima.it
Mannucci
P M
PM
Tufano
A
A
Palareti
G
G
Moia
M
M
Baccaglini
U
U
Rudelli
G
G
Giudici
G A
GA
D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D000367:Age Factors; D000368:Aged; D003276:Contraceptives, Oral / Q000009:adverse effects; D003430:Cross-Sectional Studies; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008403:Mass Screening; D008875:Middle Aged; D016017:Odds Ratio; D015995:Prevalence; D012307:Risk Factors; D012737:Sex Factors; D013923:Thromboembolism / Q000175:diagnosis* / Q000453:epidemiology / Q000209:etiology; D013997:Time Factors; D016896:Treatment Outcome; D020246:Venous Thrombosis / Q000175:diagnosis* / Q000453:epidemiology / Q000209:etiology
D003276:Contraceptives, Oral