Risk factors and outcomes of postoperative emergency response team activation: a matched case-control study

OBJECTIVE: To determine patient and perioperative characteristics associated with unexpected postoperative clinical deterioration as determined for the need of a postoperative emergency response team (ERT) activation. DESIGN: Retrospective case–control study. SETTING: Tertiary academic hospital. PARTICIPANTS: Patients who underwent general anaesthesia discharged to regular wards between 1 January 2013 and 31 December 2015 and required ERT activation within 48 postoperative hours. Controls were matched based on age, sex and procedure. MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES: Baseline patient and perioperative characteristics were abstracted to develop a multiple logistic regression model to assess for potential associations for increased risk for postoperative ERT. RESULTS: Among 105 345 patients, 797 had ERT calls, with a rate of 7.6 (95% CI, 7.1–8.1) calls per 1000 anaesthetics (0.76%). Multiple logistic regression analysis showed the following risk factors for postoperative ERT: cardiovascular disease (odds ratio [OR], 1.61; 95% CI, 1.18–2.18), neurological disease (OR, 1.57; 95% CI, 1.11–2.22), preoperative gabapentin (OR, 1.60; 95% CI, 1.17–2.20), longer surgical duration (OR, 1.06; 95% CI, 1.02–1.11, per 30 min), emergency procedure (OR, 1.54; 95% CI, 1.09–2.18), and intraoperative use of colloids (OR, 1.50; 95% CI, 1.17–1.92). Compared with control participants, ERT patients had a longer hospital stay, a higher rate of admissions to critical care (55.5%), increased postoperative complications, and a higher 30-day mortality rate (OR, 3.36; 95% CI, 1.73–6.54). CONCLUSION: We identified several patient and procedural characteristics associated with increased likelihood of postoperative ERT activation. ERT intervention is a marker for increased rates of postoperative complications and death.

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Risk factors and etiology of neonatal sepsis after hospital delivery: A case-control study in a tertiary care hospital of Rajshahi, Bangladesh

PLoS ONE ◽

10.1371/journal.pone.0242275 ◽

2020 ◽

Vol 15 (11) ◽

pp. e0242275

Author(s):

Md. Abdur Rafi ◽

M. Morsed Zaman Miah ◽

Md. Abdul Wadood ◽

Md. Golam Hossain

Keyword(s):

Risk Factors ◽

Logistic Regression ◽

Neonatal Sepsis ◽

Case Control Study ◽

Tertiary Care Hospital ◽

Tertiary Care ◽

Case Control ◽

Care Hospital ◽

Multiple Logistic Regression ◽

Control Study

Background Sepsis is one of the major causes of neonatal death worldwide as well as in Bangladesh. The objective of the present study was to identify the risk factors and causative organisms of neonatal sepsis after delivery in a tertiary care hospital, Bangladesh. Methods This was a case-control study conducted in the neonatal ward of Rajshahi Medical College Hospital (RMCH), a 1000-bed tertiary hospital situated in Rajshahi, Bangladesh. Neonates diagnosed as neonatal sepsis by clinical and laboratory parameters were included as cases in this study. Admitted neonates unsuspected or undiagnosed for sepsis were considered as controls. Maternal and neonatal information and their laboratory reports were collected and analyzed. Both bivariate and multiple logistic regression models were used to identify the risk factors of neonatal sepsis. Results A total of 91 cases and 193 controls were included in the study. Maternal history of urinary tract infection (UTI) during the third trimester of pregnancy (aOR 2.75, 95% CI: 1.04–7.23, p <0.05), premature birth (aOR 2.77, 95% CI: 1.08–7.13, p <0.05) and APGAR score <7 at five minutes (aOR 2.58, 95% CI: 1.04–6.39, p <0.05) were associated with onset of neonatal sepsis in multiple logistic regression model. All these factors were also associated with developing early-onset neonatal sepsis, while maternal UTI and male sex of neonates were associated with developing late-onset neonatal sepsis. Escherichia coli (40.7%), Staphylococcus aureus (27.5%), and Klebsiella pneumoniae (18.7%) were the commonly isolated organisms causing neonatal sepsis. All these organisms were highly resistant to common antibiotics like amoxicillin, cephalosporins, aminoglycosides and quinolones. Carbapenemase group of drugs along with amikacin, nitrofurantoin and linezolid were the most sensitive drugs. Conclusions Strengthening the existing facility for antenatal screening for early diagnosis and treatment of maternal infection during pregnancy as well as identifying high-risk pregnancy for adequate perinatal management is necessary to prevent neonatal sepsis-related morbidity and mortality. Rational use of antibiotics according to local epidemiology and culture and sensitivity reports may minimize the increasing hazards of antibiotic resistance.

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745 Risk Factors of Incident Renal Stones in Indian Population: A Hospital-Based Case-Control Study

British Journal of Surgery ◽

10.1093/bjs/znab134.573 ◽

2021 ◽

Vol 108 (Supplement_2) ◽

Author(s):

S Singh ◽

S Gupta ◽

T S Mishra ◽

B D Banerjee ◽

T Sharma ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Risk Factors ◽

Heavy Metals ◽

Case Control Study ◽

Dietary Habits ◽

Renal Stones ◽

Tertiary Hospital ◽

Case Control ◽

The Body ◽

Increased Risk ◽

Control Study

Abstract Introduction Nephrolithiasis is pathological calcification in the excretory passages of the body and is prevalent among 7.6% of Indians. We aimed to study the various risk factors associated with renal stones from India. Method It was a hospital-based case-control study conducted over 18 months in a tertiary hospital in Delhi. Cases were defined as patients with renal stones diagnosed on the basis of history and radiological examination. Controls were similar to cases in all respects except for the diagnosis and selected from the hospital. A total of 18 risk factors, including age, gender, heavy metals, stress, metabolic factors, alcohol intake, dietary habits, co-morbidities, etc. were assessed. Logistic regression analysis was performed to calculate the strength of the risk associations. Results In the analysis of 60 cases and controls, we found 6 times, 5.5 times, and 2.4 times increased odds of renal stones in patients with increased arsenic, cadmium, and lead concentrations in blood, respectively. Similarly, there are 3 times increased odds of renal stones in patients suffering from stress. Conclusions Exposure to smoke, occupation dust, and contaminated water may lead to an increased ingestion/inhalation of heavy metals like cadmium, arsenic, and predisposing people to an increased risk of renal stones.

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Waterpipe Tobacco Smoking and Other Multiple Sclerosis Environmental Risk Factors

Neuroepidemiology ◽

10.1159/000521223 ◽

2021 ◽

Author(s):

Nuha M. Alkhawajah ◽

Salman Aljarallah ◽

Laith Hussain-Alkhateeb ◽

Mohammad Osama Almohaini ◽

Taim A. Muayqil

Keyword(s):

Risk Factors ◽

Multiple Sclerosis ◽

Tobacco Smoking ◽

Case Control Study ◽

Coffee Consumption ◽

Case Control ◽

Processed Meat ◽

Increased Risk ◽

Waterpipe Tobacco Smoking ◽

Control Study

Abstract Introduction There are a number of well-established risk factors for multiple sclerosis (MS). Other factors however, showed conflicting or non-consistent results. Here we examine some factors that are unique to or more practiced in Saudi Arabia (SA) and the Arab region such as waterpipe tobacco smoking (WTS), face veiling, raw milk (RM), and camel milk (CM) consumption, tuberculosis (TB) infection in addition to other traditional factors. Methods This is a sex and age matched case-control study in which we used a structured questionnaire to examine the relation between a number of factors and exposures and the risk of MS. Three hundred MS patients and 601 controls were included. Data was analyzed across different statistical models using logistic regression adjusting for age, sex, marital status, duration of breastfeeding, age first joining school, coffee consumption, and face exposure. Results Cigarette smoking [OR = 1.79, (95% CI 1.01-3.17), P =0.047)], WTS [OR = 2.25, (95% CI 1.21-4.15), P =0.010)], and CM consumption [OR = 2.50, (95% CI 1.20-5.21), P =0.014)] increased the risk of MS. While performing hajj [OR = 0.47, (95% CI 0.34-0.67), P =0.001)], TB infection [OR = 0.29, (95% CI 0.11-0.78), P =0.015)], face veiling [OR = 0.32, (95% CI 0.23-0.47), P =0.001)] and coffee consumption [OR =0.67, (95% CI 0.49-0.89), P =0.008)], appeared to be associated with decreased risk. No association was found between fast food, processed meat, soft drinks, animal milk (other than camel) or RM consumption and the risk of MS. Conclusion The results of this case-control study confirm that different means of tobacco smoking are associated with increased risk of MS. It also sheds more light on the complex association between infections and MS.

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Food insecurity and lipid profile abnormalities are associated with an increased risk of non-alcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD): a case-control study

10.21203/rs.2.16412/v1 ◽

2019 ◽

Author(s):

Helda Tutunchi ◽

Maryam Saghafi-Asl ◽

Mohammad Asghari-Jafarabadi ◽

Alireza Ostadrahimi

Keyword(s):

Risk Factors ◽

Liver Disease ◽

Food Insecurity ◽

Fatty Liver Disease ◽

Case Control Study ◽

Case Control ◽

Alcoholic Fatty Liver ◽

Increased Risk ◽

Alcoholic Fatty Liver Disease ◽

Control Study

Abstract Background Non-alcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD) is an important public health problem and a significant cause of morbidity and mortality. Little is known about the relation between food insecurity and NAFLD. This study aimed to assess the relationship between food insecurity, risk factors associated with food insecurity, and NAFLD prevalence in a sample of Iranian adults.Methods In this age-matched and gender-matched case–control study, 210 subjects were recruited. NAFLD diagnosis was performed by a single expert radiologist using ultrasonography. The demographic and socioeconomic characteristics, anthropometric indices, body composition, along with food insecurity and depression status were assessed. Blood samples were collected to determine the lipid profile parameters. Chi-square, independent samples t-test, and uni-and multi-variate logistic regression tests were used. Data were analysed using SPSS V.23.0.Results The prevalence of food insecurity was 56.8% and 26.1% in cases and controls ( P<0.001 ), respectively. According to final analysis model, food insecurity, depression, number of children≥4, overweight, and obesity were identified as significant independent risk factors for NAFLD. The chance of NAFLD in the food insecure, depressed, overweight, and obese subjects was 2.2 (95%CI:1.12-3.43), 1.9 (95%CI:1.02-3.62), 2.6 (95% CI:1.81-3.92), and 2.9 (95%CI:2.02- 5.34) times higher, respectively. Additionally, a higher waist circumference (men, OR = 2.9, P<0.001 ; women, OR= 2.6, P<0.001 ), an elevated waist-to-hip ratio (men, OR = 2.3, P<0.001 ; women, OR= 2.7, P<0.001 ), an increased waist-to-height ratio (OR = 2.9, P<0.001 ), and a higher body fat percentage (men, OR = 3.0, P<0.001 ; women, OR= 3.3, P<0.001 ) were independently associated with an increased risk of NAFLD. The odds of NAFLD increased by increment in serum triglyceride (TG) levels (OR = 2.6, P<0.001 ) and decreased by increase in serum high-density lipoprotein cholesterol (HDL-C) (OR = 0.34, P<0.001 ). Compared to controls, NAFLD patients were more likely to have higher TG/HDL-C ratio (OR = 3.3, P<0.001 ).Conclusions The prevalence of food insecurity in patients with NAFLD was significantly higher compared to controls. Food insecurity was associated with an increased risk of NAFLD, even after adjusting for potential confounding factors. Additionally, NAFLD was significantly related to some indicators of dyslipidemia.

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Food insecurity and lipid profile abnormalities are associated with an increased risk of non- alcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD): a case-control study in northwest of Iran

10.21203/rs.3.rs-15574/v1 ◽

2020 ◽

Author(s):

Helda Tutunchi ◽

Maryam Saghafi-Asl ◽

Mohammad-Javad Hosseinzadeh Attar ◽

Mohammad Asghari-Jafarabadi ◽

Alireza Ostadrahimi

Keyword(s):

Risk Factors ◽

Liver Disease ◽

Food Insecurity ◽

Fatty Liver Disease ◽

Case Control Study ◽

Case Control ◽

Alcoholic Fatty Liver ◽

Increased Risk ◽

Alcoholic Fatty Liver Disease ◽

Control Study

Abstract Background Non-alcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD) is an important public health problem and a significant cause of morbidity and mortality. Little is known about the relation between food insecurity and NAFLD. This study aimed to assess the relationship between food insecurity, risk factors associated with food insecurity, and NAFLD prevalence in a sample of Iranian adults.Methods In this age-matched and gender-matched case–control study, 210 subjects were recruited. NAFLD diagnosis was performed by a single expert radiologist using ultrasonography. The demographic and socioeconomic characteristics, anthropometric indices, body composition, along with food insecurity and depression status were assessed. Blood samples were collected to determine the lipid profile parameters. Chi-square, independent samples t-test, and uni-and multi-variate logistic regression tests were used. Data were analysed using SPSS V.23.0.Results The prevalence of food insecurity was 56.8% and 26.1% in cases and controls ( P<0.001 ), respectively. According to final analysis model, food insecurity, depression, number of children ≥ 4, overweight, and obesity were identified as significant independent risk factors for NAFLD. The chance of NAFLD in the food insecure, depressed, overweight, and obese subjects was 2.2 (95%CI: 1.12-3.43), 1.9 (95%CI: 1.02-3.62), 2.6 (95%CI: 1.81-3.92), and 2.9 (95%CI: 2.02- 5.34) times higher, respectively. Additionally, a higher waist circumference (men, OR = 2.9, P < 0.001 ; women, OR= 2.6, P< 0.001 ), an elevated waist-to-hip ratio (men, OR=2.3, P<0.001 ; women, OR=2.7, P<0.001 ), an increased waist-to-height ratio (OR=2.9, P<0.001 ), and a higher body fat percentage (men, OR=3.0, P<0.001 ; women, OR=3.3, P<0.001 ) were independently associated with an increased risk of NAFLD. The odds of NAFLD increased by increment in serum triglyceride (TG) levels (OR=2.6, P<0.001 ) and decreased by increase in serum high-density lipoprotein cholesterol (HDL-C) (OR=0.34, P<0.001 ). Compared to controls, NAFLD patients were more likely to have higher TG/HDL-C ratio (OR =3.3, P<0.001 ).Conclusions The prevalence of food insecurity in patients with NAFLD was significantly higher compared to controls. Food insecurity was associated with an increased risk of NAFLD, even after adjusting for potential confounding factors. Additionally, NAFLD was significantly related to some indicators of dyslipidemia.

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Acute thrombocytopenic purpura in relation to the use of drugs

Blood ◽

10.1182/blood.v82.9.2714.2714 ◽

1993 ◽

Vol 82 (9) ◽

pp. 2714-2718 ◽

Cited By ~ 73

Author(s):

DW Kaufman ◽

JP Kelly ◽

CB Johannes ◽

A Sandler ◽

D Harmon ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Logistic Regression ◽

Rhode Island ◽

Case Control Study ◽

Case Control ◽

Incidence Rates ◽

Acute Onset ◽

Multiple Logistic Regression ◽

Thrombocytopenic Purpura ◽

Eastern Massachusetts ◽

Control Study

Abstract The relation of acute thrombocytopenic purpura (TP) to the use of drugs was investigated in a case-control study conducted in eastern Massachusetts, Rhode Island, and the Philadelphia region; 62 cases over the age of 16 years with acute onset and with a rapid recovery were compared with 2,625 hospital controls. After control for confounding by multiple logistic regression, use of the following drugs in the week before the onset of symptoms was significantly associated: trimethoprim/sulfamethoxazole (relative risk [RR] estimate, 124), quinidine/quinine (101), dipyridamole (14), sulfonylureas (4.8), and salicylates (2.6). The overall annual incidence of acute TP was estimated to be 18 cases per million population. The excess risks for the associated drugs were estimated to be 38 cases per million users of trimethoprim/sulfamethoxazole per week, 26 per million for quinidine/quinine, 3.9 per million for dipyridamole, 1.2 per million for sulfonylureas, and 0.4 per million for salicylates. Associations with sulfonamides, quinidine/quinine, sulfonylureas, and salicylates have been previously reported, but the present study has provided the first quantitative measures of the risk. The association with dipyridamole was unexpected. In general, despite large RRs, the incidence rates attributable to the drugs at issue (excess risks) were low, suggesting that TP is not an important consideration in the use of the various drugs.

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Suicide in Psychiatric Inpatients— A Case–Control Study

Frontiers in Psychiatry ◽

10.3389/fpsyt.2020.591460 ◽

2020 ◽

Vol 11 ◽

Author(s):

Eberhard A. Deisenhammer ◽

Elisa-Marie Behrndt-Bauer ◽

Georg Kemmler ◽

Christian Haring ◽

Carl Miller

Keyword(s):

Logistic Regression ◽

Hospital Stay ◽

Attempted Suicide ◽

Case Control Study ◽

Psychiatric Inpatients ◽

Case Control ◽

Increased Risk ◽

Inpatient Suicide ◽

History Of ◽

Control Study

Objective: Psychiatric inpatients constitute a population at considerably increased risk for suicide. Identifying those at imminent risk is still a challenging task for hospital staff. This retrospective case–control study focused on clinical risk factors related to the course of the hospital stay.Method: Inpatient suicide cases were identified by linking the Tyrol Suicide Register with the registers of three psychiatric hospitals in the state. Control subjects were patients who had also been hospitalized in the respective psychiatric unit but had not died by suicide. Matching variables included sex, age, hospital, diagnosis, and admission date. The study period comprised 7 years. Data were analyzed by the appropriate two-sample tests and by logistic regression.Results: A total of 30 inpatient suicide cases and 54 control patients were included. A number of factors differentiated cases from controls; after correction for multiple testing, the following retained significance: history of aborted suicide, history of attempted suicide, history of any suicidal behavior/threats, suicidal ideation continuing during hospitalization, no development of prospective plans, no improvement of mood during the hospital stay, and leaving ward without giving notice. Logistic regression identified the latter three variables and history of attempted suicide as highly significant predictors of inpatient suicide.Conclusions: Preventive measures during hospitalization include thorough assessment of suicidal features, an emphasis on the development of future perspectives, and a review of hospital regulations for patients who want to leave the ward.

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Predictors of therapy-related leukemia and myelodysplasia following autologous transplantation for lymphoma: an assessment of risk factors

Blood ◽

10.1182/blood.v95.5.1588.005k38_1588_1593 ◽

2000 ◽

Vol 95 (5) ◽

pp. 1588-1593 ◽

Cited By ~ 211

Author(s):

Amrita Krishnan ◽

Smita Bhatia ◽

Marilyn L. Slovak ◽

Daniel A. Arber ◽

Joyce C. Niland ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Risk Factors ◽

Multivariate Analysis ◽

Stem Cell ◽

Case Control Study ◽

Case Control ◽

High Dose ◽

Stem Cell Rescue ◽

Increased Risk ◽

Conditioning Regimens ◽

Control Study

We analyzed data on 612 patients who had undergone high-dose chemoradiotherapy (HDT) with autologous stem cell rescue for Hodgkin's disease (HD) and non-Hodgkin's lymphoma (NHL) at the City of Hope National Medical Center, to evaluate the incidence of therapy-related myelodysplasia (t-MDS) or therapy-related acute myeloid leukemia (t-AML) and associated risk factors. A retrospective cohort and a nested case-control study design were used to evaluate the role of pretransplant therapeutic exposures and transplant conditioning regimens. Twenty-two patients developed morphologic evidence of t-MDS/t-AML. The estimated cumulative probability of developing morphologic t-MDS/t-AML was 8.6% ± 2.1% at 6 years. Multivariate analysis of the entire cohort revealed stem cell priming with VP-16 (RR = 7.7, P = 0.002) to be independently associated with an increased risk of t-MDS/t-AML. The influence of pretransplant therapy on subsequent t-MDS/t-AML risk was determined by a case-control study. Multivariate analysis revealed an association between pretransplant radiation and the risk of t-MDS/t-AML, but failed to reveal any association with pretransplant chemotherapy or conditioning regimens. However, patients who had been primed with VP-16 for stem cell mobilization were at a 12.3-fold increased risk of developing t-AML with 11q23/21q22 abnormalities (P = 0.006). Patients undergoing HDT with stem cell rescue are at an increased risk of t-MDS/t-AML, especially those receiving priming with VP-16 for peripheral stem cell collection.

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A Case-Control Study of the Association of the Polymorphisms of MTHFR and APOE with Risk Factors and the Severity of Coronary Artery Disease

Cardiology ◽

10.1159/000499866 ◽

2019 ◽

Vol 142 (3) ◽

pp. 149-157 ◽

Cited By ~ 1

Author(s):

Yan Long ◽

Xiao-Tao Zhao ◽

Chang Liu ◽

Yuan-Yuan Sun ◽

Yin-Ting Ma ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Risk Factors ◽

Logistic Regression ◽

Regression Analysis ◽

Logistic Regression Analysis ◽

Sanger Sequencing ◽

Case Control Study ◽

Case Control ◽

Chinese Han ◽

Han Population ◽

Control Study

Objectives: To explore the association between single-nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) in MTHFR and APOE and the risk of CAD and, more importantly, the severity of CAD and the profile of serum lipids, we performed a case-control study in a Chinese Han population. Methods: A total of 1,207 cases of consecutive CAD-suspected inpatients were recruited, and 406 CAD cases and 231 non-CAD controls were enrolled for the final analysis after screening for exclusion criteria. All subjects had undergone coronary angiography, and the severity of CAD was evaluated by 2 cardiologists according to the Gensini scores. The genotypes of MTHFR and APOEwere detected using real-time PCR, and then verified by Sanger sequencing. Environmental risk factors, such as age, sex, smoking, alcohol consumption, hypertension, diabetes, dyslipidemia, and BMI were collected. Statistical analyses (the χ2 test, binary logistic regression analysis, and ordinal polytomous logistic regression analysis) were performed with SPSS v16.0. Results: The genotypes ofall the subjects included in the CAD and non-CAD groups in this study were successfully detected, with an agreement of 100% with Sanger sequencing. The distributions of genotypes CT and TT at MTHFR C667T were higher in CAD cases than in non-CAD controls (OR 1.99, 95% CI 1.34–2.95; OR 1.77, 95% CI 1.18–2.67; p < 0.05), whereas genotype AC at MTHFR A1298Cwas lower in CAD cases (OR 0.71, 95% CI 0.50–1.02; p < 0.05). A significant association was observed in genotypes CT and TT at MTHFR C667T and the risk of CAD (OR 1.44, 95% CI 1.27–3.67; OR 1.56, 95% CI 0.88–2.78; p < 0.05). Both genotypes and alleles of APOE were comparable in the CAD cases and non-CAD controls (p > 0.05). The genotype TT at MTHFR C667T and ε4+ at APOE were more likely to be found in the CAD subgroup with a Gensini score ≥72 (p = 0.040 and p = 0.028, respectively). Meanwhile, in the patients with genotype TT,a higher level of serum Hcy was detected, while genotype ε4+ patients possessed higher levels of serum apolipoprotein E (ApoE) and low-density lipoprotein cholesterol (LDL-C) than other genotypes. Conclusion: This study revealed that the SNP site of MTHFR C667Tis associatedwith the risk of CAD in this Chinese Han population. In addition, the genotypes of TT in MTHFR C667T and ε4+in APOE may increase the severity of CAD, and higher Hcy, LDL-C, and ApoE levels may be involved in this pathogenic process.

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Association between Statin and Fibrate Use and Venous Thromboembolism: A Case-Control Study.

Blood ◽

10.1182/blood.v104.11.2594.2594 ◽

2004 ◽

Vol 104 (11) ◽

pp. 2594-2594

Author(s):

Karine Lacut ◽

Gregoire Le Gal ◽

Emmanuel Oger ◽

Dominique Mottier

Keyword(s):

Risk Factors ◽

Venous Thromboembolism ◽

Protective Effect ◽

Case Control Study ◽

Case Control ◽

Increased Risk ◽

Venous Thromboembolic ◽

The Difference ◽

Control Study ◽

Statin Use

Abstract Background: Previous studies of selected patients have suggested a reduction in the risk of venous thromboembolism (VTE) with the use of statins, and no effect of fibrates. Objective: To evaluate the influence of statin and fibrate use on the risk of venous thromboembolic events. Design: Case-control study (EDITH) designed to investigate genetic and environmental risk factors of VTE. Setting: Brest University Hospital. Participants: 857 patients consecutively hospitalized for a documented venous thromboembolic event were included between May 2000 and May 2004. Controls were matched on age, sex and the main risk factors of VTE (cancer, surgery, pregnancy…). Results: The mean age of patients was 67.7 year. No significant difference was found between cases and controls concerning the main characteristics, except for smocking and body mass index. Controls had more often previous vascular events (coronary heart disease, stroke or arteriopathy of the lower limbs) than cases but the difference was no significant. Statin use was associated with a significant decreased risk of VTE (odds ratio (OR) = 0.58; 95% confidence interval (CI), 0.41–0.82), whereas fibrate use was associated with a significant increased risk of VTE (OR = 1.60; 95% CI, 1.09–2.34). After adjustment on the main confounding factors including aspirin use and cardiovascular disease, these associations remained significant. Among pleiotropic effects of statins, some antithrombotic mechanisms could be proposed to explain their possible protective effect. Concerning the possible negative effect of fibrates, some authors found that the most prescribed fibrates, but not statins, caused hyperhomocysteinemia. In our study, analyses of homocysteinemia are ongoing. Conclusion: In this case-control study of hospitalized patients, statin use was associated with a significant decreased risk of VTE, whereas fibrate use was associated with a significant increased risk. Homocysteinemia may be involved in the difference between the effects of these two categories of lipid-lowering drugs on VTE. Because our study was observational, the protective effect of statins as regards the risk of VTE remains questionable and further prospective studies are needed.

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