title: Determinants of plasma D-dimer levels in a traveling population.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  Plasma D-dimer measurement is a widely used diagnostic test for assessing individuals with suspected venous thromboembolism (VTE). Whilst a negative test is helpful in ruling out thrombosis, the significance and determinants of an elevated plasma D-dimer level in otherwise healthy subjects are poorly understood.
  
  
  OBJECTIVE
  To determine the association between recognized risk factors for VTE and plasma D-dimer levels in an adult population.
  
  
  METHODS
  Blood samples for measurement of plasma D-dimer levels were obtained from 1000 adults aged <70 years who were participating in a study investigating the incidence of VTE in long distance air travellers. The relationship between D-dimer levels and selected risks factors for VTE including thrombophilia status was investigated.
  
  
  RESULTS
  The median (Inter-quartile range) D-dimer level was 243 ng mL(-1) (175-345). Multivariate analysis showed that plasma D-dimer levels were positively associated with increasing age, larger body mass index, female gender, the use of hormone therapy, thrombophilia state, and the presence of co-morbid conditions.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Plasma D-dimer levels vary markedly between individuals and are associated with known risk factors for VTE, including the presence of thrombophilia conditions. The potential role for the measurement of plasma D-dimer as a marker for thrombosis risk requires further investigation.
authors.affiliation: Green Lane Hospital, Auckland, New Zealand.
authors.forename: R
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: Hughes
authors.forename: K
authors.initials: K
authors.lastname: Thomson
authors.forename: R
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: Hopkins
authors.forename: M
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Weatherall
authors.forename: C
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Wiltshire
authors.forename: M
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Wilsher
authors.forename: R
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: Beasley
mesh_terms: D000367:Age Factors; D015992:Body Mass Index; D005260:Female; D005338:Fibrin Fibrinogen Degradation Products / Q000032:analysis*; D006801:Humans; D015994:Incidence; D008297:Male; D009520:New Zealand; D012307:Risk Factors; D012737:Sex Factors; D013923:Thromboembolism / Q000097:blood* / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000453:epidemiology; D014195:Travel; D020246:Venous Thrombosis / Q000097:blood* / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000453:epidemiology
chemical_list: D005338:Fibrin Fibrinogen Degradation Products; C036309:fibrin fragment D