engleski

Traveller's Deep Vein Thrombosis

Background: Clotting of blood, usually occuring in the lowered legs, is known as deep venous thrombosis (DVT). This has become known in the press as "economy class syndrome" but the term is misleading because some cases of DVT occuring in flight have been reported in travellers in premium cabins as well as economy. A newly published study has revealed that up to 1% of all long-distance air travellers could develop symptoms of DVT or pulmonary embolism (PE). Studies have been conducted that demonstrate DVT can occur in flight just as it occurs in other modes of transportation or with prolonged sitting, but the air passengers are exposed to the physical stress of flight, as well as to social and emotional stress preceding departure. This is specially important for seafarers, because they may take long flights prior to inbarkation, and complications can occur at the sea after some time, when no adequate medical assistance is available. Hypothesis: Long-haul air travel is a risk factor for developing DVT or PE. Objective To compare and evaluate risk for acquire DVT in a case-control study. Design The history of recent travel, including 96 patients with DVT symptoms was investigated. All journeys by airplane undertaken during the preceding 4 weeks and lasting > 10 hours were considered. The same questionnnaire was submitted to a control group. Results: The odds ratio for having a DVT in patients who traveled was 2.84 (95% confidence interval, 1.9 to 5.6). Mean duration of travel was 9.4+/-2.2 h. Conclusion: A history of recent long-haul air travel was a three fold risk factor for developing DVT or ET. Posttravel venous thrombotic events can occur after journeys in patients with no other risk factors or concomitant disease. It is importance of diagnosis of DVT or ET to prevent the complications, suffering and deaths caused by flight-induced blood clots. It is recommended to all long-haul air travellers to prevent complications by using anticoagulant medicines, wearing compression stockings or exercising regularly the legs.

travel; veins; thrombosis

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