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Risk of venous thromboembolism in patients with rheumatoid arthritis: a systematic review and meta-analysis

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Abstract

We performed this meta-analysis to assess venous thromboembolism risk in patients with rheumatoid arthritis. A comprehensive search was performed in MEDLINE, EMBASE, and the Cochrane databases. Nine observational studies met our inclusion criteria and were included in the data analysis. The pooled risk ratios of deep venous thrombosis, pulmonary embolism, and venous thromboembolism in patients with rheumatoid arthritis (RA) compared with non-RA participants were 2.08 (95 % CI 1.75–2.47), 2.17 (95 % CI 2.05–2.31), and 1.96 (95 % CI 1.81–2.11), respectively. Subgroup analysis demonstrated a consistent increased risk in every study design (cohort, case–control, and cross-sectional). Our results indicate a significant increased risk of venous thromboembolism among patients with rheumatoid arthritis.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Department of Internal Medicine, Bassett Medical Center and Columbia University College of Physicians and Surgeons, Cooperstown, NY, USA

    Patompong Ungprasert, Narat Srivali & Eric L. Knight

  2. Department of Internal Medicine, University of Hawaii, Honolulu, HI, USA

    Ittikorn Spanuchart

  3. Division of Nephrology and Hypertension, Department of Medicine, Mayo Clinic, Rochester, MN, USA

    Charat Thongprayoon

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  1. Patompong Ungprasert
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  2. Narat Srivali
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  3. Ittikorn Spanuchart
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  4. Charat Thongprayoon
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  5. Eric L. Knight
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Correspondence to Patompong Ungprasert.

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Ungprasert, P., Srivali, N., Spanuchart, I. et al. Risk of venous thromboembolism in patients with rheumatoid arthritis: a systematic review and meta-analysis. Clin Rheumatol 33, 297–304 (2014). https://doi.org/10.1007/s10067-014-2492-7

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s10067-014-2492-7

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