Travel-Related Venous Thrombosis: Results from a Large Population-Based Case Control Study
Author Information
Author(s): Kenneth J. Rothman
Primary Institution: RTI Health Solutions
Hypothesis
What forms of travel, and what duration, affect the risk of venous thromboembolism?
Conclusion
The study found a doubling in the eight-week risk of venous thromboembolism in travelers who journeyed four hours or longer.
Supporting Evidence
- Travelers, especially long-haul airline passengers, face an increased risk of thromboembolism.
- One to six percent of long-haul air travelers may arrive with a clot in their veins, most being asymptomatic.
- Factor V Leiden thrombophilia, high body mass index, and use of oral contraceptives are strong susceptibility factors for thrombosis.
Takeaway
Traveling for a long time can increase your chances of getting a blood clot, especially if you have other health risks.
Methodology
The researchers analyzed data collected for a population-based case-control study of venous thrombosis conducted in the Netherlands.
Potential Biases
Matching controls to cases for correlates of exposure can introduce bias toward the null.
Limitations
The case-only analysis assumes that travel is unrelated to oral contraceptive use, which may not be true.
Digital Object Identifier (DOI)
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