Venous thromboembolism associated with severe dyspnea and asthma in 21,205 adults from the Danish population.

Background: Long-term consequences after a pulmonary embolism include lung function deficits, dyspnea, and chronic thromboembolic pulmonary hypertension. Recent studies suggest patients who experience pulmonary embolism may also be at increased risk of asthma.

Methods: We tested the hypothesis that individuals with pulmonary embolism or deep vein thrombosis (venous thromboembolism) have lower lung function, or higher risks of dyspnea and asthma using data from 21,205 random adults from the Danish General Suburban Population Study.

Results: Prevalences of pulmonary embolism, deep vein thrombosis, and venous thromboembolism were 0.60%, 1.7%, and 1.9% respectively. Individuals with pulmonary embolism or deep vein thrombosis had FEV% predicted of 86% and 89% compared with 95% in individuals without venous thromboembolism (t-test: P < 0.001). Corresponding values for FVC% predicted were 92% and 94% versus 99% (P < 0.001). Individuals with versus without venous thromboembolism had adjusted odds ratios for light, moderate, and severe dyspnea of 1.6 (95% CI: 1.1-2.2), 1.8 (1.2-2.6), and 2.6 (1.8-3.8), respectively. Individuals with versus without venous thromboembolism had adjusted odds ratios for asthma and use of asthma medication of 1.6 (1.2-2.2) and 1.9 (1.4-2.6), respectively. The adjusted odds ratio for asthma in individuals with versus without venous thromboembolism was increased among individuals who received no treatment with anticoagulants (2.0, 1.4-3.0) compared to those who received treatment (1.0, 0.6-1.6) (P for interaction = 0.02).

Conclusions: Individuals with venous thromboembolism have lower lung function, 2.6 fold higher risk of severe dyspnea, and 1.6 fold higher risk of asthma in the Danish population.