Abdominal Obesity and the Risk of Recurrent Deep Vein Thrombosis

Abstract number: P1052

Romualdi E, Dentali F, Squizzato A, Galli M, Manfredi E, Vitale J, Cattaneo A, Steidl L, Ageno W

Background:  Abdominal obesity has been found to be associated with an increased risk of deep vein thrombosis (DVT). Whether patients with abdominal obesity are also at increased risk of recurrence it is currently unknown.

Methods:  Patients with objective diagnosis of DVT and a life expectancy of greater than 6 months underwent measurement of the circumference of the waist. Abdominal obesity is defined by a waist circumference of greater than 102 cm for men and of greater than 88 cm for women. Information on age, gender, and on the presence of risk factors for DVT was collected. At follow up, all patients underwent serial compression ultrasound of the lower limbs and were clinically evaluated every 6 months.

Results:  We enrolled 101 patients, 56 (55.4%) had abdominal obesity. Mean duration of follow up was 37 months (range 6–72). Patients with abdominal obesity were significantly older than patients without abdominal obesity (64.7 years and 57.5 years, respectively, P= 0.0191), and there were more males in the former than in the latter group (69.6% and 17.8%, P < 0.0001). The rate of unprovoked DVT was similar between the 2 groups (46.4% and 53.3%, respectively, P= n.s.). Permanent risk factors were documented in 7 (12.5%) patients with abdominal obesity and in 3 (6.7%) patients without abdominal obesity (P= n.s.). A transient risk factor was documented in 23 (41.1%) and in 18 (40%), respectively (P= n.s.). Overall, recurrent DVT was documented in 29 patients (9.3% patient-year), 17 in patients with abdominal obesity (10.1% patient-year) and 12 in patients without abdominal obesity (8.3% patient-year; P= n.s.).

Discussion:  Abdominal obesity does not seem to be associated with a substantial increase in the risk of recurrent DVT.