Remote history of VTE is associated with severe COVID-19 in middle and older age: UK Biobank cohort study
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Updated: Oct 29, 2025

A Multicenter MRI Protocol for the Evaluation and Quantification of Deep Vein Thrombosis
Published on: June 2, 2015
Jana J Anderson1, Frederick K Ho1, Claire L Niedzwiedz1
1Institute of Health and Wellbeing, University of Glasgow, Glasgow, UK.
Insights
A remote history of venous thromboembolism (VTE) increases the risk of severe COVID-19, particularly in men. These findings suggest including past VTE in COVID-19 risk assessments.
Area of Science:
- Epidemiology
- Public Health
- Internal Medicine
Background:
- Venous thromboembolism (VTE) is a known complication of COVID-19.
- Existing COVID-19 risk models incorporate VTE history.
- The impact of remote VTE history (>9 years) on COVID-19 risk is not well understood.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the association between remote VTE history and COVID-19 severity.
- To determine if this association is independent of other risk factors.
Main Methods:
- A cohort study using UK Biobank participants (2006-2010).
- Linking baseline VTE history to COVID-19 outcomes (testing, hospitalization, death).
- Poisson regression models adjusted for confounders.
Main Results:
- Remote VTE history was associated with increased risk of nonfatal community-acquired, nonfatal hospitalized, and severe COVID-19.
- The association was stronger in men than in women.
- Adjustments were made for sociodemographic, lifestyle, and comorbid factors.
Conclusions:
- Remote VTE history should be considered for COVID-19 risk prediction.
- Sex-specific risk scores may be beneficial for managing COVID-19 risk.
Background:
Venous thromboembolism (VTE) is a common, life-threatening complication of COVID-19 infection. COVID-19 risk-prediction models include a history of VTE. However, it is unclear whether remote history (>9 years previously) of VTE also confers increased risk of COVID-19.
Objectives:
To investigate possible association between VTE and COVID-19 severity, independent of other risk factors.
Methods:
Cohort study of UK Biobank participants recruited between 2006 and 2010. Baseline data, including history of VTE, were linked to COVID-19 test results, COVID-19-related hospital admissions, and COVID-19 deaths. The risk of COVID-19 hospitalization or death was compared for participants with a remote history VTE versus without. Poisson regression models were run univariately then adjusted stepwise for sociodemographic, lifestyle, and comorbid covariates.
Results:
After adjustment for sociodemographic and lifestyle confounders and comorbid conditions, remote history of VTE was associated with nonfatal community (RR 1.61, 95% CI 1.02-2.54, p = .039), nonfatal hospitalized (RR 1.52, 95% CI 1.06-2.17, p = .024) and severe (hospitalized or fatal) (RR 1.40, 95% CI 1.04-1.89, p = .025) COVID-19. Associations with remote history of VTE were stronger among men (severe COVID-19: RR 1.68, 95% CI 1.14-2.42, p = .009) than for women (severe COVID-19: RR 1.07, 95% CI 0.66-1.74, p = .786).
Conclusion:
Our findings support inclusion of remote history of VTE in COVID-19 risk-prediction scores, and consideration of sex-specific risk scores.
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