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Increased risk of venous thromboembolism in patients with brain tumors: A systematic review and meta-analysis.
Thromb Res. 2015 Nov 20;
Authors: Qian C, Yan H, Hu X, Zhang W, Liu H
Abstract
BACKGROUND: Currently published studies investigating the association between brain tumors and venous thromboembolism (VTE) risk have yielded inconsistent findings. To provide a more precise estimate for this association, we firstly performed a meta-analysis by pooling all currently available data.
METHODS: Pooled relative risks (RRs) with 95% confidence intervals (95% CIs) were calculated by use of STATA 12.0 software. All eligible studies were identified by a comprehensive literature search in databases of PubMed, Embase, Web of Science, and Google scholar.
RESULTS: According to the inclusion criteria, 9 independent studies were finally included into this study. Individuals with brain tumors were at an increased risk of VTE (RR=1.66, 95% CI 1.31-2.12, P<0.001), particularly those undergoing surgery (RR=1.68, 95% CI 1.44-1.98, P<0.001). Stratified analysis by type of tumor showed that the risk of VTE was significantly associated with glioma (RR=1.68, 95% CI 1.44-1.98, P<0.001), high-grade glioma (RR=1.70, 95% CI 1.29-2.23, P<0.001), and glioblastoma multiforme (RR=1.74, 95% CI 1.43-2.12, P<0.001).
CONCLUSIONS: The present meta-analysis suggests increased risk of VTE in patients with brain tumors, particularly those undergoing surgery.
PMID: 26610747 [PubMed - as supplied by publisher]