Body height and risk of venous thromboembolism in men vs women

Abstract

Background

Body height is associated with venous thromboembolism (VTE) and may contribute to differences in VTE risk in men vs women.

Objectives

To investigate the risk of VTE according to body height in men and women and assess VTE risk in men vs women after adjustment for height in young, middle-aged, and elderly individuals.

Methods

Participants of the Tromsø Study (1994-2020) and the Nord-Trøndelag Health Study (1995-2019) formed the study cohort (N = 114 567). Cox regression was used to estimate hazard ratios (HRs) with 95% CIs of VTE per 10 cm increase in body height in men and women. VTE risk in men vs women was estimated in the age groups 19 to 49, 50 to 74, and ≥75 years before and after adjustment for height.

Results

Taller stature was associated with increased VTE risk in both men (HR, 1.34; 95% CI: 1.25-1.44) and women (HR, 1.23; 95% CI, 1.13-1.33). In the middle-aged, the risk was higher in men than in women (HR, 1.45; 95% CI, 1.32-1.60) but diminished after adjustment for height (HR, 0.98; 95% CI, 0.85-1.13). In the young (HR, 0.87; 95% CI, 0.70-1.08) and elderly (HR, 1.08; 95% CI, 0.97-1.20), there was no difference in VTE risk in men vs women before adjustment, while the risk was higher in women after height adjustment (HR, 0.60; 95% CI, 0.44-0.83 and HR, 0.83; 95% CI, 0.71-0.97, respectively).

Conclusion

Taller stature was a risk factor for VTE in men and women. The risk of VTE in men vs women was substantially affected by adjustment for body height in all age groups.