Epidemiology of deep vein thrombosis from a summary put together by the European Society of Vascular Surgery in their guidelines staement published in 2021 (see reference below).
These key points are summarized and some are taken verbtim from the manuscript:
1. The incidence of DVT is slightly greater in women aged 20 – 45 years, but men have a higher incidence between 45 and 60 years of age.
2. The incidence is higher for males for all age groups if female specific risk factors (oral contraceptives and pregnancy) are excluded.
3. The incidence of DVT increases two-fold per 10 year age increase.
4. At least one in 12 middle aged adults will develop either DVT and/or pulmonary embolism (PE) in their remaining lifetime.
5. Sixty percent of all venous thromboembolism (VTE) events occur in patients aged > 65 years.
6. African Americans have a higher incidence of DVT than Caucasians and Native Americans.
7. Asians (China and Korea) have a lower incidence of DVT than Caucasians and Native Americans.
8. A seasonal variation occurs, with a higher incidence of VTE in the winter, peaking in February.
9. The rate of recurrent VTE is around 10% the first year and 30% after 5 – 8 years for patients with unprovoked DVT with an unidentified triggering factor.
10. The annual incidence of VTE has not changed in the last two to three decades, although the prevalence of cancer, major surgery, trauma, and obesity has increased, and the widespread availability of improved diagnostic modalities with computed tomography (CT) and magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) leading to increased detection of incidental VTE in patients with cancer.
Kakos SK, Gohel M, Baekgaard N, Bauersachs R, Bellmunt-Montoya S, Black SA, ten Care-Hoek AJ, Elalamy I, Enzmann FK, Geroulakos G, Gottsater A, Hunt BJ, Mansiha A, Nicolaides AN, Sandset PM, Stansby G et al. European Society of for Vasculr Surgery (ESVS)Clinical Prctice Guidelines on the Management of Venous Thrombosis. European Journal Vascular Endovascular Surgery 2021; 61: 9-62.
Dr Karamanoukian's comment: these summaries of the epidemiology of deep vein thrombosis are certainly very interesting and clinically relevant to patients and vein specialists.