Anemia as a risk factor for cerebral venous thrombosis? An old hypothesis revisited. Results of a prospective study

J Neurol. 2007 Jun;254(6):729-34. doi: 10.1007/s00415-006-0411-9. Epub 2007 Apr 21.

Abstract

Background: Several case reports have linked iron deficiency anemia with the occurrence of cerebral venous thrombosis (CVT) or stroke, yet, it is unclear whether this is a chance association.

Methods: In a case-control design data of whole blood count and screening for thrombophilic coagulation abnormalities of 121 prospectively identified patients with CVT and 120 healthy controls were compared. Anemia was defined as a hemoglobin (Hb) concentration of <120 g/l in females, and <130 g/l in males, severe anemia as a Hb <90 g/l. Adjusted odds ratios (OR) were calculated based on a logistic regression model treating variables with a level of significance of p < or = 0.2 on univariate analysis as potential confounders.

Results: Thrombophilia (OR 1.22, 95% CI 1.07-1.76, p < 0.01), severe anemia (OR 1.10, 95% CI 1.01-2.22, p < 0.05), and hypercholesterinemia (OR 1.21, 95% CI 1.04-2.57, p < 0.05) were the only independent variables associated with CVT on multivariate analysis.

Conclusion: Severe anemia is significantly and independently associated with CVT.

MeSH terms

  • Adolescent
  • Adult
  • Aged
  • Aged, 80 and over
  • Anemia / epidemiology*
  • Blood Coagulation Disorders / epidemiology
  • Case-Control Studies
  • Cerebral Veins / pathology
  • Cerebral Veins / physiopathology*
  • Comorbidity
  • Cranial Sinuses / pathology
  • Cranial Sinuses / physiopathology
  • Female
  • Humans
  • Hypercholesterolemia / epidemiology
  • Intracranial Thrombosis / epidemiology*
  • Intracranial Thrombosis / physiopathology*
  • Logistic Models
  • Male
  • Middle Aged
  • Odds Ratio
  • Prevalence
  • Prospective Studies
  • Risk Assessment
  • Risk Factors
  • Sinus Thrombosis, Intracranial / epidemiology
  • Sinus Thrombosis, Intracranial / physiopathology
  • Thrombophilia / epidemiology
  • Venous Thrombosis / epidemiology*
  • Venous Thrombosis / physiopathology*