Factors affecting the recurrence in patients with venous thromboembolism: A retrospective cohort study

The aim of the study was to evaluate the frequency of recurrence and the risk factors for recurrence in patients who were diagnosed with venous thromboembolism.

Between January 2005 and January 2015, a total of 412 venous thromboembolism patients (164 males, 248 females; mean age: 53.5±16.6 years; range: 19 to 95 years) were retrospectively analyzed. The demographics, underlying risk factors, comorbidities, imaging findings, and treatment data of the patients were recorded.

At least one transient/permanent risk factor was found in 341 (82.7%) of the index events, and the other 71 (17.2%) were idiopathic. Recurrence developed in 76 (18.4%) of the patients. The duration of the treatment in the first event was significantly longer in recurrent cases (p=0.007). The recurrence rate in patients diagnosed with only deep vein thrombosis or patients diagnosed with pulmonary thromboembolism + deep vein thrombosis was significantly higher than the patients diagnosed with only pulmonary thromboembolism (24% vs. 14.2%, respectively; p=0.007). The rate of idiopathic venous thromboembolism was higher in recurrent cases than in non-recurrent cases (26.3% vs. 15.2%, respectively; p=0.028). At the end of the first year, the mean D-dimer levels were higher in recurrent cases (p=0.034). Hereditary risk factors were also higher in recurrent cases (39.5% vs. 19.3%, respectively; p=0.031). There was no significant correlation between recurrence and mortality.

The presence of deep vein thrombosis, idiopathic events, high D-dimer levels at the end of the first year and hereditary risk factors seem to be associated with recurrence.