Obesity as a risk factor in venous thromboembolism.
OBJECTIVE
Whether obesity is an independent risk factor for pulmonary embolism or deep venous thrombosis has not been fully determined.


METHODS
We used the database of the National Hospital Discharge Survey to further investigate the potential risk of obesity in venous thromboembolic disease.


RESULTS
The relative risk of deep venous thrombosis, comparing obese patients with non-obese patients, was 2.50 (95% confidence interval [CI] = 2.49-2.51). The relative risk of pulmonary embolism was 2.21 (95% CI = 2.20-2.23). Obese females had a greater relative risk for deep venous thrombosis than obese males, 2.75 (95% CI = 2.74-2.76) versus 2.02 (95% CI = 2.01-2.04). Obesity had the greatest impact on both men and women aged less than 40 years.


CONCLUSIONS
The data indicate that obesity is a risk factor for venous thromboembolic disease in men as well as women.
Stein
Paul D
PD
St. Joseph Mercy Oakland Hospital, Pontiac, MI 48341, USA. steinp@trinity-health.org
Beemath
Afzal
A
Olson
Ronald E
RE
D000328:Adult; D000367:Age Factors; D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D016022:Case-Control Studies; D016208:Databases, Factual; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D009765:Obesity / Q000150:complications* / Q000453:epidemiology; D010351:Patient Discharge / Q000706:statistics & numerical data; D011655:Pulmonary Embolism / Q000453:epidemiology / Q000209:etiology*; D012307:Risk Factors; D012737:Sex Factors; D014481:United States / Q000453:epidemiology; D020246:Venous Thrombosis / Q000453:epidemiology / Q000209:etiology*