Over the years, the literature dealt with venous thromboembolism (VTE) and atherosclerosis as two distinct pathologic processes but recently this theory has been challenged. This research aims to determine the relationship between cardiovascular risk factors and VTE. This meta-analysis and systemic review included case-control and non-case-control studies. We searched Google Scholar, Web of Science, MEDLINE, and EMBASE for studies conducted in Saudi Arabia, addressing the relationship between VTE and cardiovascular risk factors, and published during the period from January 2001 to December 2021. Quality assessment was done for included studies and pooled odds and prevalence ratios were reported. Evidence of bias was assessed using funnel plots and the Egger regression test. A total of 3291 patients with VTE and 3393 controls from 24 studies were enrolled. The pooled odds ratios were 1.33 (95% confidence interval (95% CI) = 1.01-1.77), 1.2 (95% CI = 0.88-1.64), 0.881 (95% CI = 0.55-1.41), 0.676 (95% CI = 0.04-11.25), 1.15 (95% CI = 0.75-1.75), 0.925 (95% CI = 0.55-1.56), 1.45 (95% CI = 0.89-2.35), and 1.49 (95% CI = 0.24-5.23) for age >60 years, female gender, hypertension, dyslipidemia, diabetes, cardiovascular disease, obesity, and smoking, respectively. The pooled prevalence ratios were 42.6%, 55.7%, 51.6%, 48%, 44%, 32.8%, 30.9%, and 46.6%, respectively, for the same factors. Few studies reported dyslipidemia and smoking. In conclusion, old Old age, female gender, diabetes, obesity, and smoking are associated with increased risk of VTE with the highest risks seen with obesity and smoking. Additionally, female gender was the most prevalent risk factor among VTE patients.
Keywords: Cardiovascular risk factors; Saudi Arabia; meta-analysis; venous thromboembolism.