Antipsychotics: a real or confounding risk factor for venous thromboembolism?

Abstract

In a meta-analysis of case-control studies, Zhang et al. (2011) found an increased risk of venous thromboembolic events (VTE) in patients exposed to antipsychotics (OR=2.39 [1.71-3.35]). Our updated meta-analysis including the 2 available cohort studies, recognized as a more relevant type of observational study, showed a weaker, but still strong association (OR=1.84 [1.39; 2.44]). In view of the lack of data on the confirmed risk factors for VTE in existing studies, prospective studies including adjustment for these risk factors are warranted to confirm this association and to assess the benefit/risk ratio of antipsychotics in high-risk patients.