Epidemiology of venous thromboembolism in France

Few epidemiological data are available for venous thromboembolism (VTE) at French national and subnational levels.

To quantify VTE events in France in 2022 and describe the features of hospital management and outcomes.

Adults hospitalized for a VTE as the primary reason for hospitalization or treatment in a medical unit in 2022 were identified from medical administrative data. Data were stratified as pulmonary embolism (PE) and deep vein thrombosis (DVT), and by French department and various sociodemographic indicators. VTE prevalence at 1 January 2023 was defined as the number of people alive at that date with a history of hospitalization for VTE or a chronic long-term disease status due to VTE (2012-2022).

VTE cases reached 896,846 adults on 1 January 2023. VTE was the primary diagnosis for a hospital stay or medical unit in 62,055 patients hospitalized in 2022. The age-standardized rate of hospitalized patients was 23.0% higher for men versus women. There were considerable variations between departments of residence, while Martinique had the highest age-standardized rate. The prevalence of triggering factors was high, with almost 30% having cancer and 20% a recent long hospitalization. One-year mortality was approximately 20% for both PE and DVT, despite rehospitalization rates <5%.

The high prevalence of cancer among patients hospitalized due to VTE partly explains the high 1-year mortality. As VTE is partially avoidable, the prevention of VTE needs to be improved in France and whether thromboprophylaxis guidance is being followed should regularly be assessed.