Correspondence: Cancer incidence and mortality after a first-ever venous thrombosis in northern Sweden.

Tran, Minh-Hoang; Truong-Nguyen, Kim-Huong

We congratulate Hägg et al. on their study investigating cancer incidence and mortality following first-ever venous thromboembolism (VTE), which provides valuable insights into VTE as a potential marker for underlying malignancies. However, we highlight concerns regarding healthy user bias, the unclear follow-up duration, and inconsistent adjustment in the statistical analysis. We also suggest the use of the Fine-Gray subdistribution hazard model to address competing risks, and the accurate reporting of sex-gender terminology. Lastly, we advise caution in concluding a high incidence of cancer following first-ever VTE without pre-VTE data for comparison and recommend acknowledging potential surveillance bias when interpreting the higher cancer detection rate within 6 months of VTE diagnosis.

SWEDEN; RISK assessment; VENOUS thrombosis; CAUSES of death; TUMORS; BIOMARKERS; DISEASE complications; SYMPTOMS

Thrombosis Journal, 2024, Vol 22, Issue 1, p1

1477-9560

Academic Journal

10.1186/s12959-024-00667-8