Presentation Details
| What is the role of family history in the management of VTE? Ayan Ramanathan1, Ishan Dhaneshwar1, Joseph Caprini3, Fakiha Siddiqui2, Atul Laddu1, Jawed Fareed2, Krish Punyarthi1, Richa Mahajan1. 1Global Thrombosis Forum, Suwanee, GA, USA.2Loyola University, Chicago, IL, USA.3Northshore University Health System, Evanston, IL, USA |
Abstract
Background VTE is a worldwide public health and medical care problem due to high morbidity, mortality, and rate of missed diagnosis, and considered as the most likely preventable fatality. The awareness of VTE in the general population is very low. Caprini Risk Score (CRS), widely used all over the World to determine the level of risk for thrombosis, includes many risk factors that occur in hospitalized patients with VTE. Objectives To increase awareness of VTE in the community regarding thrombosis-related risks, we assessed individual participants' baseline thrombosis risk scores before injury, illness or hospitalization occurred, employing a non-experimental design, involving cross-sectional survey methodology, and convenience sample. Methods Clinical protocol Participants (N=928) were recruited from the USA, UK, and India. Risk factors were assigned weights between 1 to 5 reflecting the power of each factor to cause a blood clot. The risk of VTE occurrence in patients was divided into low (0 ~ 1 points), risk (2 ~ 4 points), high (≥5 points), and very high (9 + points). The participants tested on their own electronic devices; the team was blinded to the identity of the participants. The participants logged in to the website, www.capriniriskscore.org. The study was approved by the IRB of DePaul University and was administered by high school students. Results A total of 247 (26.6%) participants reported a family history of blood clots (Figure 1). The age of those who have a family member with a history of blood clot is shown in Figure 2. The high average CRS in those over 75 years of age, any additional risk factor would indicate the need for anticoagulant prophylaxis following surgery in almost all these individuals, barring a significant bleeding risk was present. A large proportion of female respondents (34.9%) took contraceptives. If the members stop taking birth control one month before surgery, and eventually become pregnant, there is even more risk of thrombosis than being on birth control. In our study, 17.3% of respondents reported IBD, 26.1% had a history of diabetes, 30 % reported smoking (double the national average), and most of Asians had diabetes. It is time for the government and health providers to do something for community health. Conclusion Family history, smoking, diabetes, contraceptives, and IBD are important factors increasing the risk of VTE in people prior to illness or injury, which should improve public awareness of VTE as a first step to reducing the incidence of fatal PE events. A very important role of high school students in the collection of the data is by contacting their friends, relatives, and family friends. Knowing CRS and risk factors ahead of time is one of the best ways to lower the incidence of VTE. It is necessary to develop and apply strategies and interventions to increase public awareness of the dangers and prevalence of VTE.
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No part of this publication may be reproduced, distributed, or transmitted in any form or by any means, including photocopying, recording, or other electronic or mechanical methods, without the prior written permission of the author.