Travel Associated With 3-Fold Increase in Risk for Venous Thromboembolism

Hundreds of millions of people will embark on long-distance journeys this summer.

Researchers investigated the association between travel and VTE for subjects using any mode of transportation and having non-travelling subjects for comparison in 4,055 cases of VTE.

They found that travel is associated with a nearly three-fold higher risk of VTE, with a dose-response of 18 percent higher risk for each two-hour increase in travel duration.

Physicians should investigate the use of low-cost, low-risk interventions such as increased hydration and ambulation for all long-distance travelers.

References:
Annals of Internal Medicine Tip Sheet for 7 July 2009 Issue, www.annals.org.
Image source: Saphenous vein, Gray's Anatomy, 1918 (public domain).