Thromb Haemost 2001; 85(03): 430-434
DOI: 10.1055/s-0037-1615600
Review Article
Schattauer GmbH

The Incidence of Deep Venous Thrombosis and Pulmonary Embolism among Patients with Inflammatory Bowel Disease: A Population-based Cohort Study

Charles N. Bernstein
1   Departments of Internal Medicine and Community Health Sciences
,
James F. Blanchard
2   Medicine and Community Health Sciences, University of Manitoba and Epidemiology Unit
3   University of Manitoba and Epidemiology Unit, Winnipeg, Manitoba, Canada
,
Donald S. Houston
1   Departments of Internal Medicine and Community Health Sciences
,
Andre Wajda
2   Medicine and Community Health Sciences, University of Manitoba and Epidemiology Unit
3   University of Manitoba and Epidemiology Unit, Winnipeg, Manitoba, Canada
› Author Affiliations
Further Information

Publication History

Received 22 August 2000

Accepted after resubmission 11 October 2000

Publication Date:
08 December 2017 (online)

Zoom Image

Summary

Background: There is an impression mostly from specialty clinics that patients with inflammatory bowel disease (IBD) have an increased risk of venous thromboembolic disorders. Our aim was to determine the incidence of deep venous thrombosis (DVT) and pulmonary embolism (PE) from a population-based database of IBD patients and, to compare the incidence rates to that of an age, gender and geographically matched population control group.

Methods: IBD patients identified from the administrative claims data of the universal provincial insurance plan of Manitoba were matched 1:10 to randomly selected members of the general population without IBD by year, age, gender, and postal area of residence using Manitoba Health’s population registry. The incidence of hospitalization for DVT and PE was calculated from hospital discharge abstracts using ICD-9-CM codes 451.1, 453.x for DVT and 415.1x for PE. Rates were calculated based on person-years of follow-up for 1984-1997. Comparisons to the population cohort yielded age-adjusted incidence rate ratios (IRR). Rates were calculated based on person-years of follow-up (Crohn’s disease = 21,340, ulcerative colitis = 19,665) for 1984-1997.

Results: In Crohn’s disease the incidence rate of DVT was 31.4/10,000 person-years and of PE was 10.3/10,000 person-years. In ulcerative colitis the incidence rates were 30.0/10,000 person-years for DVT and 19.8/10,000 person-years for PE. The IRR was 4.7 (95% CI, 3.5-6.3) for DVT and 2.9 (1.8-4.7) for PE in Crohn’s disease and 2.8 (2.1-3.7) for DVT and 3.6 (2.5-5.2) for PE, in ulcerative colitis. There were no gender differences for IRR. The highest rates of DVT and PE were seen among patients over 60 years old; however the highest IRR for these events were among patients less than 40 years.

Conclusion: IBD patients have a threefold increased risk of developing DVT or PE.