From: The association between air travel and deep vein thrombosis: Systematic review & meta-analysis
Study Characteristics | Johnston & Evans (2001) [19] | Arfvidsson (2001) [20] | Scurr (2001) [23] | Cesarone (2002) LONFLIT 3 [22] | Belcaro (2001) LONFLIT I [21] | Belcaro (2001) LONFLIT II [21] |
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Population | Healthy workers – pilots | Otherwise healthy- conference attendants | No history of VTE- apparently healthy individuals | High risk group | Both low and high risk | High risk subjects |
Definition of VTE | NOT Stated (but it likely to be symptomatic) | DVT symptomatic | DVT asymptomatic | DVT asymptomatic | DVT asymptomatic | DVT asymptomatic |
Method of diagnosis | Undefined | Diagnostic test | Diagnostic tests | Diagnostic test | Diagnostic test | Diagnostic test |
Nature of exposure | Population of pilots | ≥ 5 hours flight | ≥ 8 hours flight | Not stated | Average 12.4 hours flight | Average 12.5 hours |
Reported rate of VTE n/N | 27/9775 (0.28%) during 10 years study | 0/83 (0%) | 12/116 (10.34%) | 4/100 (4.00%) | 11/778 (1.41%) | 19/422 (4.50%) |
Period of follow up | Person-year data is not stated. 10 years study, but little details given about the follow up. | 4 weeks | Up to 6 weeks | Not stated Immediately post flight? | 24 hours | 24 hours |