ALCOHOL- AND TOBACCO CONSUMPTION IN PATIENTS WITH SUSPECTED DEEP VENOUS THROMBOSIS (DVT)

Alcohol has several effects on hemostasis that might predispose for thromboembolism. The association between alcohol consumption and venous thrombosis is sparesly documented and we have therefore conducted a prospective study.

Methods: 395 consecutive patients with suspected DVT entered the study. The patients were questioned about consumption of beer, wine and liquor and the average weekly consumption of ethanol was estimated. The total weekly consumption of tobacco was also estimated. 302 of the patients (130 men and 172 women) underwent phlebography, which was classified either as normal or as fresh DVT or/and postthrombotic changes.

Results: 31 of the 130 men reported a weekly consumption of 100 g ethanol or more. In men below 65 years of age (62 men, see table) there was a significant relationship between ethanol consumption and the presence of fresh DVT or/and postthrombotic changes at phlebography

In men above 65 years of age the incidence of DVT/postthrombotic changes was not higher among those who consumed more than 100 g ethanol per week (9 of 14) than among them who consumed less than 100 g per week (35 of 54). Only 5 of the women admitted a consumption of at least 100 g ethanol per week, one of them had a DVT.

Tobacco consumption was not related to the occurrence of DVT

Conclusion: Ethanol seems to be a risk factor for DVT in young and middle-aged men