Reduction in physical function in women after venous thromboembolism

Functional limitations 3 and 12 months after venous thromboembolism: a cohort study

Background

Venous thromboembolism (VTE) is associated with various long-term complications.

Objectives

We aimed to investigate the association of clinical characteristics at VTE diagnosis with functional limitations 3 and 12 months afterward.

Methods

We conducted a prospective cohort study of VTE patients, excluding patients with cancer, pregnancy, and postpartum period. Functional limitations were assessed with the post-VTE functional status (PVFS) scale (range, 0-4) within 21 days of diagnosis, after 3 and 12 months (prospectively), and 1 month before diagnosis (retrospectively). Twelve-month follow-up was only performed in patients on anticoagulation. We fitted 2 proportional odds logistic regression models for the 3- and 12-month follow-ups and computed odds ratios (ORs) with 95% bootstrap percentile confidence intervals (CIs).

Results

We included 307 patients (42% female, median age 55.6 years) with a median (IQR) PVFS scale grade of 2 (2-3) at study inclusion and 0 (0-0) before diagnosis. After 3 months, PVFS scale grade in 269 patients was 1 (0-2). Female sex (OR, 2.15; 95% CI, 1.26-4.14), body mass index (OR per 1 kg/m2 increase, 1.05; 95% CI, 1.00-1.10), functional limitations at baseline, and older age were associated with functional limitations. After 12 months, PVFS scale grade in 124 patients was 1 (0-2). Female sex (OR, 4.47; 95% CI, 2.11-16.00), history of cardiovascular/pulmonary disease (OR, 2.36; 95% CI, 1.01-6.89), and functional limitations at baseline were associated with functional limitations.

Conclusion

Functional limitations in VTE patients improved 3 and 12 months after diagnosis but did not return to pre-VTE values. We identified clinical characteristics that could help identify patients at risk of persisting functional limitations after VTE.

Impact of thrombosis location on walking capacity: a cohort study of patients with acute deep vein thrombosis

Background

Data on walking impairment during the acute phase of deep vein thrombosis (DVT) are limited.

Objectives

This study aimed to assess the degree of walking impairment in patients with acute DVT, with a particular focus on the relation to the DVT's anatomical location.

Methods

Patients with sonographically confirmed DVT were eligible for inclusion in this cohort study. Pain-free walking distance (PWD) and maximum walking distance (MWD) were determined using standardized treadmill ergometer tests and analyzed in relation to DVT location. The impact of previous DVT on walking capacity was evaluated in an exploratory analysis.

Results

The study included 64 patients (31% women; median age, 55 years). The median (IQR) time from diagnosis to exercise test was 3 (1-5) days. Patients with suprainguinal DVT demonstrated significantly shorter median (IQR) MWD than those with infrainguinal DVT (130 (61-202) m vs 565 (128-750) m; P < .01), while PWD did not significantly differ (PWD: 20 (0-30) m vs 40 (0-222) m; P = .14). The proportion of patients who had to terminate treadmill tests prematurely was higher in patients with suprainguinal DVT (91.7% vs 57.7%; P = .04). PWD and MWD seemed to be similar in patients with and without a history of DVT. Premature test termination and suprainguinal DVT location were associated with reduced quality of life, as measured by the EuroQoL Group 5-Dimension 5-Level questionnaire and visual analog scale.

Conclusion

Suprainguinal DVT was linked to a more pronounced walking impairment compared with infrainguinal DVT. Limited walking capacity was associated with a reduced quality of life.

Health-related quality of life after first venous thromboembolism in individuals aged 70 years and older

Background

There is limited information on short- and long-term effects of venous thromboembolism (VTE) on health-related quality of life (HRQoL) in the elderly.

Objectives

To assess change in generic HRQoL and disease-specific HRQoL in patients 1 year after the VTE.

Methods

The Age and Thrombosis, Acquired and Genetic risk factors in the elderly (AT-AGE) study is a 2-center case-control study performed in Leiden, the Netherlands, and Vermont, United States, among individuals aged ≥70 years. We measured generic HRQoL using the 36-item Short Form Health Survey (SF-36) and disease-specific HRQoL using the Venous Insufficiency Epidemiological and Economic Study-Quality of Life/Symptoms Questionnaire (VEINES-QoL/Sym) and the Pulmonary Embolism-Specific Quality of Life Questionnaire (PEmb-QoL). All patients completed these questionnaires shortly after their VTE and 1 year later, while controls completed the 36-item Short Form Health Survey questionnaire once. Linear regression for change in quality of life scores was performed and adjusted for potential confounders.

Results

For the current analysis, we included patients who were visited twice (n = 316) and controls (n = 427) with HRQoL information. Mean age of patients and controls was similar (78.8 vs 75.5 years). In patients who survived at least 1 year after the VTE, generic HRQoL improved for both summary scores, but it did not reach the level of the age-matched controls: physical and mental summary scores increased by 5.6 and 5.5 points, respectively, but compared with controls, remained 8.2 and 6.4 points lower. For disease-specific HRQoL, the Pulmonary Embolism-Specific Quality of Life Questionnaire overall score decreased from 21.7% to 15.2%, indicating improved HRQoL. Venous Insufficiency Epidemiological and Economic Study-Quality of Life/Symptoms Questionnaire scores did not change over time.

Conclusion

Overall, the quality of life of patients with VTE was worse than that of controls after 1 year, indicating a long-term impact of VTE diagnosis in the elderly.

Prediagnosis and postdiagnosis leisure time physical activity and survival following diagnosis with ovarian cancer

Little is known about the influence of prediagnosis and postdiagnosis physical activity on ovarian cancer survival. We investigated this association in two large cohorts, the Nurses' Health Study (NHS) and NHSII. Analyses included 1461 women with confirmed invasive, epithelial ovarian cancer and data on physical activity. Cox regression models were used to estimate hazard ratios (HR) and 95% confidence intervals (CI) for ovarian cancer-specific mortality. Ovarian cancer-specific mortality was not associated with physical activity reported 1-8 years before diagnosis overall (≥7.5 vs <1.5 MET-hours/week, HR = 0.96), for high-grade serous/ poorly differentiated tumors, or non-serous/ low-grade serous tumors (P-heterogeneity = .45). An inverse association was observed for activity 1-4 years after diagnosis (≥7.5 vs <1.5 MET-hours/week, HR = 0.67, 95%CI: 0.48-0.94), with similar results by histotype (P-heterogeneity = .53). Women who decreased their activity from ≥7.5 MET-hours/week 1-8 years before diagnosis to <7.5 MET-hours/week 1-4 years after diagnosis, compared to those with <7.5 MET-hours/week across periods, had a 49% increased risk of death (HR = 1.49, 95%CI: 1.07-2.08). Physical activity after, but not before, ovarian cancer diagnosis was associated with better prognosis.

Preventing postpartum venous thromboembolism: A call to action to reduce undue maternal morbidity and mortality

Postpartum venous thromboembolism (VTE) is a leading cause of maternal mortality in developed countries and can carry significant long-term morbidity. Despite being able to identify postpartum VTE risk factors in a large proportion of the obstetrical population, there is little high-quality evidence available to guide practice on who should receive postpartum thromboprophylaxis. Based on epidemiological data, women with a prior history of VTE or known potent thrombophilia are likely to benefit from an extended duration of low-molecular-weight heparin (LMWH) prophylaxis. However, significant controversy exists around the benefit and harm of postpartum thromboprophylaxis in women with more modest risk factors, such as those with mild thrombophilias or transient situational risk factors around labor and delivery, such as cesarean delivery. We review the available data for postpartum VTE risk factors and thromboprophylaxis in these patients. This review highlights the latest evidence in the area of postpartum VTE prevention, and is a call to action for further research in this area to improve maternal morbidity and mortality.

Outpatient Pulmonary Rehabilitation in Patients with Persisting Symptoms after Pulmonary Embolism

Background: Patients with pulmonary embolism (PE) may suffer from long-term consequences, including decreased functional capacity. Data on pulmonary rehabilitation (PR) in patients with PE are scarce, and no data on outpatient PR are available so far. Methods: We analyzed data of 22 PE patients who attended outpatient PR due to exertional dyspnea. Patients underwent a multi-professional 6-week PR program. The primary outcome was change in 6-min walk test (6MWT). Secondary outcomes included changes in strength and endurance tests. To assess long-term benefits, follow-up was performed a median of 39 months after PR. Results: Patients started PR a median of 19 weeks after the acute PE event. Their median age was 47.5 years, 33% were women and all presented with NYHA (New York Heart Association) class II and higher. After PR, patients showed significant and clinically relevant improvements in 6MWT (mean difference: 49.4 m [95% CI 32.0−66.8]). Similarly, patients increased performance in maximum strength, endurance and inspiratory muscle strength. At long-term follow-up, 78% of patients reported improved health. Conclusion: We observed significant improvements in exercise capacity in PE patients undergoing outpatient PR. The majority of patients also reported a long-term improvement in health status. Prospective studies are needed to identify patients who would benefit most from structured PR.

Long-Term Association of Venous Thromboembolism With Frailty, Physical Functioning, and Quality of Life: The Atherosclerosis Risk in Communities Study

Background

Relatively little is known about the long‐term consequences of venous thromboembolism (VTE) on physical functioning. We compared long‐term frailty status, physical function, and quality of life among survivors of VTE with survivors of coronary heart disease (CHD) and stroke, and with those without these diseases.

Methods and Results

Cases of VTE, CHD, and stroke were continuously identified since ARIC (Atherosclerosis Risk in Communities Study) recruitment during 1987 to 1989. Functional measures were objectively captured at ARIC clinic visits 5 (2011–2013) and 6 (2016–2017); quality of life was self‐reported. The 6161 participants at visit 5 were, on average, 75.7 (range, 66–90) years of age. By visit 5, 3.2% had had a VTE, 6.9% CHD, and 3.4% stroke. Compared with those without any of these conditions, VTE survivors were more likely to be frail (odds ratio [OR], 3.11; 95% CI, 1.80–5.36) and have low (<10) versus good scores on the Short Physical Performance Battery (OR, 3.59; 95% CI, 2.36–5.47). They also had slower gait speed, less endurance, and lower physical quality of life. VTE survivors were similar to coronary heart disease and stroke survivors on categorical frailty and outcomes on Short Physical Performance Battery assessment. When score on the Short Physical Performance Battery instrument was modeled continuously, VTE survivors performed better than stroke survivors but worse than CHD survivors.

Conclusions

VTE survivors had triple the odds of frailty and poorer physical function than those without the vascular diseases considered. Their function was somewhat worse than that of CHD survivors, but better than stroke survivors. These findings suggest that VTE patients may benefit from additional efforts to improve postevent physical functioning.

Pulmonary embolism response teams: Purpose, evidence for efficacy, and future research directions

Pulmonary embolism (PE) is a major cause of morbidity and mortality in the United States. Although new therapeutic tools and strategies have recently been developed for the diagnosis and treatment of patients with PE, the outcomes for patients who present with massive or high-risk PE remain dismal. To address this crisis, pulmonary embolism response teams (PERTs) are being created around the world in an effort to immediately and simultaneously engage multiple specialists to determine the best course of action and coordinate the clinical care for patients with acute PE. The scope of this review is to describe the PERT model and purpose, present the structure and organization, examine the available evidence for efficacy and usefulness, and propose future directions for research that is needed to demonstrate the value of PERT and determine if this multidisciplinary approach represents a new standard of care.

Physical activity and risk of recurrence and mortality after incident venous thromboembolism

BACKGROUND

Limited data exist on the relationship between physical activity and major complications after incident venous thromboembolism (VTE).

OBJECTIVES

To investigate whether physical activity was associated with risk of recurrence and mortality in patients with VTE recruited from the general population.

METHODS

Patients with incident VTE (n = 786) derived from the Tromsø Study surveys 4-6 (1994-1995, 2001-2002, and 2007-2008) were included, and data on physical activity were dichotomized according to the activity level reported in the survey preceding the incident VTE (inactive: <1 hour per week, active: ≥1 hour per week). Recurrent VTE and all-cause mortality were registered up to December 31, 2015. Hazard ratios (HRs) for recurrence and all-cause mortality were calculated using Cox regression models with the inactive group as reference.

RESULTS

There were 139 recurrences and 395 deaths during follow-up. Physical activity was not associated with the risk of recurrence in men (HR model 2: 1.48, 95% confidence interval [CI] 0.83-2.65) or in women (HR model 2: 0.95, 95% CI 0.52-1.74). In contrast, physical activity was associated with a 28% lower risk of mortality during 10 years of follow up (HR model 3: 0.72, 95% CI 0.57-0.91). The inverse association was stronger in patients with a first deep vein thrombosis ( HR model 2: 0.59, 95% CI 0.44-0.79) than a pulmonary embolism (HR model 3: 0.87, 95% CI 0.61-1.26).

CONCLUSION

Our results suggest that habitual physical activity prior to incident VTE does not influence the risk of recurrence. In contrast, active individuals were at lower risk of mortality, particularly following deep vein thrombosis.