Cancer-Associated Venous Thromboembolism Among Hospitalized Patients with Solid and Hematological Malignancies: A...

Venous thromboembolism (VTE) is a major cause of non-cancer-related mortality in cancer patients. Understanding how demographic factors and cancer types influence VTE risk is critical for developing prevention strategies. This study investigates the incidence of VTE in a large cancer patient population, focusing on gender, race, and differences between solid and hematological malignancies.

Data from the National Inpatient Sample (NIS) database were used to identify cancer patients diagnosed with acute VTE. The patients were divided into those with solid and hematological cancers. Key demographic and clinical characteristics were collected, and patients were matched 1:1 using propensity scoring. Statistical analyses, including logistic regression, assessed VTE incidence and its associations with demographic and cancer type variables. A p-value of <0.05 indicated statistical significance.

Out of 1,233,832 cancer patients, 63,505 (5.1%) were diagnosed with acute VTE. Females had a higher VTE rate than males (5.5% vs. 4.8%, p < 0.001). Racial disparities showed Black patients with the highest incidence (6.4%), followed by White patients (5%). Patients with solid malignancies exhibited a significantly higher incidence of VTE compared to those with hematological malignancies (5.4% vs. 4.1%; p < 0.001), with lung cancer and non-Hodgkin lymphoma mostly associated with VTE.

This study identifies demographic and cancer-specific differences in VTE risk, emphasizing the need for personalized prevention. High-risk groups, including those with solid tumors, females, and Black patients, may benefit from targeted strategies to reduce the burden of VTE and improve cancer outcomes.