The American Journal of Medicine
Volume 118, Issue 9 , Pages 978-980, September 2005

Obesity as a risk factor in venous thromboembolism

  • Paul D. Stein, MD

      Affiliations

    • St. Joseph Mercy Oakland Hospital, Pontiac, Mich
    • Wayne State University, Detroit, Mich
    • Corresponding Author InformationRequests for reprints should be addressed to Paul D. Stein, MD, Saint Joseph Mercy Oakland Hospital, 44405 Woodward Avenue, Pontiac, MI 48341-5023.
    • ,
  • Afzal Beemath, MD

      Affiliations

    • St. Joseph Mercy Oakland Hospital, Pontiac, Mich
    • ,
  • Ronald E. Olson, PhD

      Affiliations

    • Oakland University, Rochester, Mich.

Received 7 February 2005; received in revised form 3 March 2005; accepted 3 March 2005.

Abstract 

Purpose

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.

Conclusion

The data indicate that obesity is a risk factor for venous thromboembolic disease in men as well as women.

Keywords:  Pulmonary embolism , Deep venous thrombosis , Venous thromboembolism , Obesity

 

PII: S0002-9343(05)00207-X

doi:10.1016/j.amjmed.2005.03.012

The American Journal of Medicine
Volume 118, Issue 9 , Pages 978-980, September 2005

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