Is intimate partner abuse underestimated as a precipitating factor for venous thromboembolism in women?

Major and minor trauma increase the risk of venous thromboembolism (VTE), but violence against young women is not reported as a precipitating factor for thrombosis. Here, we report 20 cases of first VTE events in women of childbearing age after evidence of intimate partner violence. Other risk factors for VTE were often associated. In most cases, women did not report this state of violence at the first consultation and their doctors did not suspect it. We imagine that it is an underdiagnosed situation and should call for a systematic evaluation. Screening for intimate partner abuse could have significant consequences, both on protecting women who are affected by it and better evaluating the risk of bleeding with anticoagulant treatment in this situation.

Automated summary

This article reports 20 cases of first venous thromboembolism (VTE) events in women of childbearing age after evidence of intimate partner violence. Most patients did not report the violence at their first consultation and doctors did not suspect it. This situation may be underdiagnosed and calls for systematic evaluation. Screening for intimate partner abuse could have significant consequences regarding the protection of affected women and the assessment of bleeding risk with anticoagulant treatment.