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Introduction: Studies have indicated that men have a higher overall risk of VTE than women. In previous studies, we have noted that risk factors for VTE, such as alcohol consumption and physical activity, can differ between sexes. The aim of the present study was to estimate the incidence of first-ever VTE and the association of traditional cardiovascular risk factors with VTE risk in men and women separately. Materials and methods: Inhabitants of Västerbotten County in northern Sweden, who had participated in a health examination between 1985 and 2014 were included. The mean age at inclusion was 46.3 years (range 26–65 years). All first-ever VTE events experienced by the participants from the health examination to September 5, 2014 were identified and validated. Results: A total of 1110 men and 944 women had an objectively verified first-ever VTE event. The incidence of VTE was 1.54 (95% CI 1.45–1.63) per 1000 years of follow-up for men and 1.22 (95% CI 1.14–1.30) for women. Higher age, weight and body mass index were associated with increased risk of VTE in both sexes. Men with hypertension had a lower risk of VTE, HR 0.75 (95% CI 0.65–0.87) and men with more than secondary school education had a higher risk of VTE. Taller women had an increased risk of VTE. Conclusions: In the studied age group, we found that men had a higher incidence of first-ever VTE than women. Notably, we also found that hypertension was associated with lower risk of VTE in men but not in women.

Background The relationship between alcohol intake and risk of venous thromboembolism (VTE) is unclear. Men and women differ in their drinking habits, which may affect a possible association. Objective This article investigates the association between alcohol consumption, alcohol dependence and VTE in the total population as well as in men and women separately. Methods We performed a prospective, population-based cohort study in northern Sweden. Study participants were 108,025 (51% women) persons aged 30 to 60 years who underwent a health examination between 1985 and 2014. We assessed alcohol consumption and defined alcohol dependence using a questionnaire. The outcome was a validated first-time VTE. Results The mean follow-up time was 13.9 years, and 2,054 participants had a first-time VTE. The mean alcohol consumption was 3.5 standard drinks weekly in men and 1.5 in women. Alcohol dependence was found in 10% of men and 3% of women. There was an association between alcohol consumption (hazard ratio [HR], 1.02; 95% confidence interval [CI], 1.00–1.03 per standard drink weekly) as well as alcohol dependence (HR, 1.27; 95% CI, 1.06–1.52) and VTE after adjustments. In men, the risk of VTE increased over quartiles of weekly alcohol consumption (p for trend 0.02), with a HR of 1.22 (95% CI, 1.01–1.47) for the highest quartile. Alcohol dependence was associated with VTE in men (HR, 1.30; 95% CI, 1.07–1.59). In women, there were no significant associations. Conclusion High alcohol consumption and alcohol dependence were associated with increased risk of first-time VTE in men, but not in women.

It remains unclear whether high plasma glucose levels are associated with venous thromboembolism (VTE). This study investigated the association between fasting plasma glucose (FPG), oral glucose tolerance test (two-hour post-load plasma glucose (2HPG)), diabetes, and VTE.The population-based, prospective Venous thromboEmbolism In Northern Sweden (VEINS) cohort study included 108,025 residents of Västerbotten County in northern Sweden. The participants were aged 30 to 60 years and had no previous VTE events. They were included from 1985 onwards and were followed until a VTE event, death, emigration, or the study end on September 5, 2014. All underwent a health examination that measured weight, height, FPG, and 2HPG and included a questionnaire regarding smoking, education level, and history of diabetes. Potential VTE events were identified by an extensive diagnosis registry search and were validated by reviewing medical records and radiology reports.An objectively verified first-time VTE event was experienced by 2054 participants during 1,496,669 person-years of follow-up. In univariable analysis, there were associations between FPG, 2HPG, diabetes, and the risk of VTE. These associations disappeared after adjustment for potential confounders (age, sex, body mass index, cancer at inclusion, education level, smoking, and hypertension). The adjusted hazard ratios were 1.01 (95% confidence interval 0.83-1.23) for diabetes, 1.01 for each standard deviation of FPG (95% confidence interval 0.97-1.05), and 0.96 for each standard deviation of 2HPG (95% confidence interval 0.91-1.00).There were no independent associations between FPG, 2HPG, diabetes, and future risk of VTE.

Physical activity may have a protective effect against venous thromboembolism (VTE). The aim of this study was to investigate the association between leisure time physical activity, occupational physical activity, and the risk of VTE in men and women separately.The population-based, prospective Venous thromboEmbolism In Northern Sweden (VEINS) cohort study included 108,025 participants of health examinations between 1985 and 2014. Physical activity data were collected by questionnaire. Participants were followed from health examination to first-time VTE event, death, emigration or the end of the study. All VTE events were validated by reviewing medical records and radiology reports.During 1,496,669 person-years, 2054 participants experienced VTE. Women who performed leisure time physical activity at least once a week had a lower risk of first-time VTE (hazard ratio (HR) 0.83; 95% confidence interval (CI) 0.71-0.98 after adjustments) compared with women with less or no physical activity. Furthermore, women with high occupational physical activity also had a lower risk of VTE (HR 0.85; 95% CI 0.74-0.98). In men, there was no consistent association between either measure of physical activity and the risk of VTE.We found an association between increased physical activity and a lower risk of first-time VTE in women.

BACKGROUND: The reported incidence of venous thromboembolism (VTE) varies considerably among studies. The primary aim of this study was to describe the incidence of VTE in relation to age and sex. The secondary aim was to describe the risk factor pattern at the time of diagnosis. METHODS: This retrospective, population-based cohort study included all adult residents in the County of Västerbotten in northern Sweden during the year 2006 (n = 204,836). All potential VTE events were manually validated and classified according to location. The presence of risk factors for VTE at the time of diagnosis was recorded. RESULTS: We identified 517 adult individuals with potential VTE. Among these, 343 individuals (158 men and 185 women) had a verified VTE event in 2006. The mean incidence was 167 individuals per 100,000 person years; 155 for men and 180 for women. The mean age at diagnosis was 67.6 years in men and 72.5 years in women. The incidence of VTE increased with age. The incidence was highest in women aged 85 years or more. Pulmonary embolism with or without concurrent deep vein thrombosis was diagnosed in 161 individuals (46.9%); lower extremity deep vein thrombosis without concurrent pulmonary embolism was diagnosed in 157 individuals (45.8%); and VTE in another location was diagnosed in 25 individuals (7.3%). The most common risk factors for VTE were recent hospitalization and concurrent malignancy. CONCLUSION: The incidence of VTE was 167 per 100,000 person years and increased with age. The incidence was highest among older women. Pulmonary embolism was the most common form of VTE; it affected 47% of individuals with VTE. Malignancy and hospitalization were the most prevalent risk factors for VTE.