Excess mortality during the first 2 years of the COVID-19 pandemic (2020-2021) in the Netherlands: Overall and across demographic subgroups.

Objectives: The overall impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on mortality can be estimated by the assessment of excess deaths from all causes because the reported number of deaths due to COVID-19 do not accurately reflect the true death toll. We assessed excess mortality in 2020 and 2021 in the Netherlands.

Methods: All analyses were performed on data from comprehensive nationwide registers provided by Statistics Netherlands (Centraal Bureau voor de Statistiek), including demographic characteristics and mortality.

Cross-Ancestry Investigation of Venous Thromboembolism Genomic Predictors.

Background: Venous thromboembolism (VTE) is a life-threatening vascular event with environmental and genetic determinants. Recent VTE genome-wide association studies (GWAS) meta-analyses involved nearly 30 000 VTE cases and identified up to 40 genetic loci associated with VTE risk, including loci not previously suspected to play a role in hemostasis. The aim of our research was to expand discovery of new genetic loci associated with VTE by using cross-ancestry genomic resources.

Hormonal Contraceptives and the Risk of Venous Thrombosis.

The risk of venous thrombosis (VT) varies according to the type of progestogen that is found in combined oral contraceptives (COCs). When combined with the estrogen component ethinylestradiol (EE), the androgenic progestogens are better able to counteract the EE-induced stimulation of liver proteins and hence are associated with a twofold decreased risk of VT compared with non- or antiandrogenic progestogens, which exert limited counteraction of EE. Because EE is responsible for the increased risk, novel estrogens such as estradiol were developed and seem to have a lower risk of VT than EE.

Role of Routine Laboratory Tests in Assessing Risk of Recurrent Venous Thrombosis: Results from the MEGA Follow-Up Study.

Background:  Kidney function, measured as estimated glomerular filtration rate (eGFR), glucose levels and haematologic variables (blood cell count) are easily obtainable tests, and have been associated with increased risk of first venous thrombosis (VT). Whether these routine tests can identify patients at risk of recurrence is unclear.

Aim:  Our aim was to investigate the predictive value of serum glucose levels, eGFR and haematologic variables in patients at risk of recurrent VT.

Whole exome sequencing in thrombophilic pedigrees to identify genetic risk factors for venous thromboembolism.

Background: Family studies have shown a strong heritability component for venous thromboembolism (VTE), but established genetic risk factors are present in only half of VTE patients.

Aim: To identify genetic risk factors in two large families with unexplained hereditary VTE.

Methods: We performed whole exome sequencing in 10 affected relatives of two unrelated families with an unexplained tendency for VTE.