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.
Department of Experimental and Clinical Medicine, Policlinico Federico II, University of Naples, Naples, Italy. diminno@unima.it
G
G
Di Minno
P M
PM
Mannucci
A
A
Tufano
G
G
Palareti
M
M
Moia
U
U
Baccaglini
G
G
Rudelli
G A
GA
Giudici
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