Venous thromboembolism associated with severe dyspnoea and asthma in 102 792 adults

Abstract

BackgroundThe most recent guideline on acute pulmonary embolism (PE) indicates possible long-term sequelae such as dyspnoea and chronic thromboembolic pulmonary hypertension after a PE event. However, effects on lung function or asthma risk have not been evaluated in the general population.MethodsWe tested whether individuals with a venous thromboembolism (VTE) encompassing PE and deep vein thrombosis (DVT) have reduced lung function, or greater risks of dyspnoea and asthma using data from 102 792 adults from the Copenhagen General Population Study. Diagnoses of PE, DVT, and asthma were collected from the national Danish Patient Registry. Factor V Leiden and prothrombin G20210A gene variants were determined by TaqMan assays.ResultsPrevalence of PE, DVT, and VTE were 2.2%, 3.6%, and 5.2%, respectively. Individuals with VTE had FEV1% predicted of 92% compared with 96% in individuals without VTE (p<0.001). Individuals with VTEversusthose without had adjusted odds ratios for light, moderate, and severe dyspnoea of 1.4 (95%CI: 1.2–1.6), 1.6 (1.4–1.8), and 1.7 (1.5–1.9), respectively. Individuals with VTEversusthose without had an adjusted odds ratio for asthma of 1.6 (1.4–1.8). Factor V Leiden and prothrombin G20210A genotype also associated with increased risk of asthma (p for trend=0.002). Population attributable fractions of severe dyspnoea and asthma due to VTE were 3.5% and 3.0% in the population.ConclusionIndividuals with VTE have worse lung function and higher risks of severe dyspnoea and asthma, and may account for 3.5% and 3.0% of people with severe dyspnoea and asthma in the general population.