Depressive symptoms as a novel risk factor for recurrent venous thromboembolism: a longitudinal observational study in patients referred for thrombophilia investigation.

Background: Increasing evidence suggests that psychosocial factors, including depression predict incident venous thromboembolism (VTE) against a background of genetic and acquired risk factors. The role of psychosocial factors for the risk of recurrent VTE has not previously been examined. We hypothesized that depressive symptoms in patients with prior VTE are associated with an increased risk of recurrent VTE.

Depressive symptoms, perceived social support, and prothrombotic measures in patients with venous thromboembolism.

Introduction: Psychosocial factors have been associated with both a prothrombotic state and an increased risk of venous thromboembolism (VTE). We examined the relation of depressive symptoms and social support with D-dimer, an integrative measure of enhanced coagulation activity, and several additional prothrombotic measures in patients with VTE.

Methods: We studied 173 patients with a previous deep venous thrombosis and/or pulmonary embolism (mean age ± SD 45 ± 14 years, 55% men).

Effects of social support on the clinical course of Crohn's disease.

Background: Social support has been found to be protective from adverse health effects of psychological stress. We hypothesized that higher social support would predict a more favorable course of Crohn's disease (CD) directly (main effect hypothesis) and via moderating other prognostic factors (buffer hypothesis).

Methods: Within a multicenter cohort study we observed 597 adults with CD for 18 months.

Relationship between psychological distress and endogenous anticoagulants in patients with a previous venous thromboembolic event.

Background: Psychological distress, particularly anxiety and depression, has been associated with a prothrombotic state. However, the relationship between psychosocial factors and endogenous anticoagulants protein S (PS) and protein C (PC) has not previously been investigated. We explored the association between psychological distress, PS, and PC in patients with an objectively diagnosed venous thromboembolic event (VTE).

Association of fatigue and psychological distress with quality of life in patients with a previous venous thromboembolic event.

Health-related quality of life (QoL) has been associated with several social and medical conditions in patients with deep vein thrombosis (DVT) and pulmonary embolism (PE). To the best of our knowledge, there is no study investigating the relationship of QoL with psychological variables in this patient population. We assumed as a hypothesis an association between heightened levels of fatigue and psychological distress, as well as decreased QoL in patients with an objectively diagnosed venous thromboembolic event.

Independent association of sleep quality, fatigue, and vital exhaustion with platelet count in patients with a previous venous thromboembolic event.

Elevated platelet count might reflect increased inflammation as an etiological factor for venous thromboembolism (VTE). Poor sleep, fatigue, and exhaustion are all associated with inflammation and are also common sequelae of chronic psychological stress that previously predicted increased risk of VTE. We hypothesized that platelet count would be high in patients with VTE who sleep poorly and who are fatigued and exhausted.