TRAVEL-RELATED THROMBOSIS ACROSS GENERATIONS

Introduction and Objective Travel-related thrombosis is defined as venous thromboembolism (VTE) formed in the lower limb after prolonged immobility. For example in the economy class seats during long flights. The risk of travel-related thrombosis is higher in individuals with pre-existing risk factors for the development of VTE. We compare prevalence of VTE associated with travelling in young adults and seniors in patients of Outpatient Department of Angiology with VTE. Method We observed risk factors in 219 (21-90 years, mean age 59.43±16,962 years) patients of Outpatient Department of Angiology with VTE: family history of VTE, malignancy, trauma, surgery, chemotherapy, radiotherapy, travelling, immobilisation, inflammatory disease and all patients underwent genetic analyses of inherited thrombophilia. Results and Conclusions We found out that 4.4% of young adults (less than 45 years) developed travel-related VTE. In the group of seniors (more than 65 years) the incidence of travel-related VTE was 4.5%. Difference is not statistically significant (P=0.426). It was considerable surprise for us that travel-related thrombosis has nearly the same incidence in young adults as in elderly. We assume that seniors consider their travel activities very carefully. And here we see a space for the family doctor. Family doctor knows the details of medical history and health status of the traveller to be. He is so highly competent to advise whether the patient will manage his journey as well as advise him about the VTE preventive measures. In educational activities of family physicians in Slovakia is helpful website under a National Program of Cardiovascular Diseases.