Risk factors for pregnancy-associated venous thromboembolism in Singapore

Abstract

Abstract Objectives Pregnancy-associated venous thromboembolism (VTE), including deep venous thrombosis (DVT) and pulmonary embolism (PE), is associated with increased risk of maternal mortality and morbidity. This study aimed to assess potential risk factors for pregnancy-associated VTE. Methods In this case-control study, women with pregnancy-associated VTE were identified via International Classification of Diseases codes and included if they had been objectively diagnosed with VTE during pregnancy or within six weeks postpartum, from 2004 to 2016, at KK Women’s and Children’s Hospital or Singapore General Hospital in Singapore. Controls, i.e. pregnant women without VTE, were selected from a prospective longitudinal study. The odds ratio (OR) for VTE was computed for a range of maternal and obstetric factors. Results and conclusions From 2004 to 2016, 89 cases of pregnancy-associated VTE and 926 controls were identifed and analysed using logistic regression. The most significant risk factors for pregnancy-associated VTE were smoking (OR 5.44, p=0.0002) and preterm delivery (OR 5.06, p=0.023). Malay race, multiparity, non-O blood group and caesarean section, were also identified to be of higher risk. These risk factors should be useful in the development of thromboprophylaxis strategies for pregnancy and the postpartum period, especially in Singapore.