Risk Factors of Chew et al for Venous Thromboembolism in a Woman with Breast Cancer

 

Patient selection: women with breast cancer

 

Risk factors for venous thromboembolism within 2 years of cancer diagnosis (Table 2):

(1) age >= 65 years

(2) 1 or more significant comorbid conditions (hazard ratio 1.9 for 1, 2.3 for 2 and 2.9 for 3; based upon the list of comorbid conditions in Elixhauser et al, except with 5 conditions excluded)

(3) extent of disease (hazard ratio for distant metastases 6; for regional lymph nodes 2)

 

Protective factors:

(1) Asian ancestry

 

Modifications: I added previous history of hypercoagulable state as a separate risk factor in the implementation.

 

The highest incidence for venous thromboembolism is during the first 6 months after diagnosis.

 

The development of venous thromboembolism during the first 2 years is associated an increased risk of death within 2 years of breast cancer diagnosis (hazard ratio 2.3).