Current and former smoking and risk for venous thromboembolism: a systematic review and meta-analysis.
BACKGROUND
Smoking is a well-established risk factor for atherosclerotic disease, but its role as an independent risk factor for venous thromboembolism (VTE) remains controversial. We conducted a meta-analysis to summarize all published prospective studies and case-control studies to update the risk for VTE in smokers and determine whether a dose-response relationship exists.


RESULTS
We performed a literature search using MEDLINE (source PubMed, January 1, 1966 to June 15, 2013) and EMBASE (January 1, 1980 to June 15, 2013) with no restrictions. Pooled effect estimates were obtained by using random-effects meta-analysis. Thirty-two observational studies involving 3,966,184 participants and 35,151 VTE events were identified. Compared with never smokers, the overall combined relative risks (RRs) for developing VTE were 1.17 (95% CI 1.09-1.25) for ever smokers, 1.23 (95% CI 1.14-1.33) for current smokers, and 1.10 (95% CI 1.03-1.17) for former smokers, respectively. The risk increased by 10.2% (95% CI 8.6%-11.8%) for every additional ten cigarettes per day smoked or by 6.1% (95% CI 3.8%-8.5%) for every additional ten pack-years. Analysis of 13 studies adjusted for body mass index (BMI) yielded a relatively higher RR (1.30; 95% CI 1.24-1.37) for current smokers. The population attributable fractions of VTE were 8.7% (95% CI 4.8%-12.3%) for ever smoking, 5.8% (95% CI 3.6%-8.2%) for current smoking, and 2.7% (95% CI 0.8%-4.5%) for former smoking. Smoking was associated with an absolute risk increase of 24.3 (95% CI 15.4-26.7) cases per 100,000 person-years.


CONCLUSIONS
Cigarette smoking is associated with a slightly increased risk for VTE. BMI appears to be a confounding factor in the risk estimates. The relationship between VTE and smoking has clinical relevance with respect to individual screening, risk factor modification, and the primary and secondary prevention of VTE. Please see later in the article for the Editors' Summary.
Department of Cardiology, First Affiliated Hospital, Sun Yat-Sen University, Guangzhou, China.
Yun-Jiu
YJ
Cheng
Zhi-Hao
ZH
Liu
Feng-Juan
FJ
Yao
Wu-Tao
WT
Zeng
Dong-Dan
DD
Zheng
Yu-Gang
YG
Dong
Su-Hua
SH
Wu
D016022:Case-Control Studies; D015331:Cohort Studies; D018740:Genetic Heterogeneity; D006801:Humans; D015994:Incidence; D012307:Risk Factors; D012907:Smoking / Q000009:adverse effects*; D054556:Venous Thromboembolism / Q000453:epidemiology / Q000209:etiology*