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Published on: June 15, 2011
Racial differences in venous thromboembolism
1Department of Medicine and Pathology, College of Medicine, University of Vermont, Colchester, VT 05446, USA. Neil.zakai@uvm.edu
Journal of Thrombosis and Haemostasis : JTH
|July 30, 2011
Summary
Venous thromboembolism (VTE) incidence differs significantly across racial groups, with African Americans at highest risk. Genetic and environmental factors partially explain these disparities, necessitating targeted prevention strategies.
Area of Science:
- Medical Science
- Epidemiology
- Genetics
Background:
- Venous thromboembolism (VTE) incidence shows significant racial variation, with African Americans exhibiting a 5-fold higher rate than Asian populations.
- Existing genetic polymorphisms and environmental risk factors do not fully explain the observed VTE risk gradient across racial groups.
- Limited data exists on VTE incidence and risk factors in non-European ancestry populations and regions outside Europe and North America.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the racial disparities in venous thromboembolism (VTE) incidence.
- To explore the genetic and environmental factors contributing to VTE risk differences.
- To identify knowledge gaps in VTE epidemiology across diverse populations.
Main Methods:
- Review of existing literature on VTE incidence and risk factors across different racial and ethnic groups.
- Analysis of known genetic polymorphisms (e.g., Factor V Leiden, prothrombin G20210A) and environmental factors (e.g., obesity, Factor VIII, von Willebrand factor, Protein C).
- Examination of potential biases in VTE diagnosis and healthcare access impacting reported incidence rates.
Main Results:
- African Americans have a substantially higher VTE incidence compared to Asian and European/Hispanic populations.
- Common genetic factors in European and African American populations, along with obesity, partially explain increased VTE risk.
- Low VTE rates in Asian populations may be linked to underdiagnosis due to low clinical suspicion and healthcare access issues.
Conclusions:
- Racial differences in VTE incidence are influenced by a complex interplay of genetic predispositions and environmental factors.
- Increasing global prevalence of risk factors like obesity may lead to rising VTE rates in previously low-risk populations.
- Further research and improved surveillance are crucial for developing effective, population-specific VTE prevention and management strategies.
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