Patients with inflammatory bowel disease are at an increased risk of venous thromboembolism for up to 30 days following hospitalisation: a systematic review and meta-analysis

Objective Inflammatory bowel disease (IBD) is associated with an increased risk of venous thromboembolism (VTE). We conducted a systematic review and meta-analysis to evaluate the risk of VTE in patients with IBD within 30 days after postdischarge (PD-VTE) after a surgical or non-surgical hospitalisation.Design/method Studies were identified via a systematic search of PubMed, MEDLINE, CENTRAL and Web of Science until 1 June 2024. Eligible studies were multivariable-adjusted or propensity-matched observational cohort studies comparing VTE risk following hospitalisation between IBD and non-IBD cohorts. ORs were calculated using a random-effects model, and subgroup plus sensitivity analyses were conducted to explore heterogeneity.Results Six studies including 148 067 patients with IBD met the inclusion criteria. In the adjusted analysis, patients with IBD had a higher risk of PD-VTE (OR 1.57; 95% CI 1.40 to 1.77) with substantial heterogeneity (I²=67%). Subgroup analysis showed increased risk after surgical hospitalisation (OR 1.34; 95% CI 1.09 to 1.64, I²=35%) and a higher risk following non-surgical hospitalisation (OR 1.70; 95% CI 1.52 to 1.90, I²=0%).Conclusions Patients with IBD are at increased risk of VTE within 30 days after both surgical and non-surgical hospitalisations. These findings support consideration of extended VTE prophylaxis in high-risk hospitalised patients with IBD.