Family history for venous thromboembolism and the risk for recurrence.
OBJECTIVE
The relevance of a family history for venous thromboembolism with regard to the likelihood for recurrence is unknown.


METHODS
We studied 826 patients for an average of 36 months after a first unprovoked venous thromboembolism and withdrawal of oral anticoagulation. Patients with cancer, lupus anticoagulant, or deficiency of antithrombin, protein C, or protein S were excluded. The study endpoint was objective evidence of recurrent symptomatic venous thromboembolism.


RESULTS
Recurrence for venous thromboembolism was recorded in 23 of 190 patients (12.1%) with a family history (at least one affected first-degree family member) and in 79 of 636 patients (12.4%) without familial thrombosis (relative risk for recurrence 1.0; 95% confidence interval, 0.7-1.6; P=.9). At 5 years, the likelihood for recurrence was 20% among patients with a family history for venous thromboembolism and 18% among those without a family history for venous thromboembolism (P=.9). Risk determinants for venous thromboembolism including factor V Leiden, factor II G20210A, and high factor VIII were not statistically different between the 2 groups.


CONCLUSIONS
A family history for venous thromboembolism does not segregate patients into high- or low-risk categories and is not suitable to identify patients at increased risk for recurrent venous thromboembolism.
Hron
Gregor
G
Department of Internal Medicine I, Division of Angiology, Medical University of Vienna, Vienna, Austria.
Eichinger
Sabine
S
Weltermann
Ansgar
A
Minar
Erich
E
Bialonczyk
Christine
C
Hirschl
Mirko
M
Stain
Milena
M
Gartner
Verena
V
Kyrle
Paul Alexander
PA
D000925:Anticoagulants / Q000627:therapeutic use; D005169:Factor VIII / Q000032:analysis; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D011516:Prothrombin / Q000032:analysis; D011655:Pulmonary Embolism / Q000097:blood / Q000235:genetics* / Q000517:prevention & control; D012008:Recurrence; D012307:Risk Factors; D020246:Venous Thrombosis / Q000097:blood / Q000235:genetics* / Q000517:prevention & control
D000925:Anticoagulants; D011516:Prothrombin; D005169:Factor VIII