ABO blood group and the risk of post-thrombotic syndrome

Post-thrombotic syndrome (PTS) has been associated to DVT recurrence, increased FVIII, inflammatory biomarker plasma levels, and persistence of vein obstruction. These same features have also been widely reported in non-O blood type subjects. Our aim was to investigate the correlation between the incidence of PTS and ABO blood types. Consecutive patients referred to the Department of Medicine of University of Padua between January 2004 and January 2012 following the diagnosis of a first episode of proximal DVT were enrolled. The presence of PTS was assessed via the Villalta scale at predefined time points (3, 6, 12, 18, 24, 36 months). Hazard ratio (HR) for PTS development was calculated in non-O (exposed) vs O blood (unexposed) type patients. Out of 671 eligible patients, 606 were enrolled. Overall, 192 (31.7%) patients developed PTS: 142 (34.5%) non-O and 50 (25.6%) O blood type patients. Individuals with non-O blood group were associated with a significantly higher risk to develop PTS (HR 1.53, 95% CI, 1.05-2.24; p = 0.028) than O group. Non-O blood type might be a risk factor for the development of PTS.