The findings, published in the British Medical Journal on Thursday, could explain the doubling of the incidence and deaths of blood clots in England since the outbreak of the pandemic compared to the same periods in 2018 and 2019. They also help to address the very small increased risk of blood clots associated with the Covid-19 vaccine. “The degree of complications associated with Covid-19 is much stronger and lasts much longer than we can get after vaccination,” said Dr. Frederick Ho, a public health lecturer at the University of Glasgow who did not attend the study. research. “Even people with mild symptoms who do not need to be treated may have a small increase in risk. [blood clots]. » Although previous research has suggested that taking Covid was associated with an increased risk of blood clots, it was unclear how long this risk persisted and whether mild infections also increased the risk in humans. To address these uncertainties, Anne-Marie Fors Connolly at Umeå University in Sweden and her colleagues measured the risk of DVT, pulmonary embolism – a blood clot in the lung – and various types of bleeding, such as gastrointestinal or gastrointestinal bleeding. in more than 1 million people with confirmed Covid infections and more than 4 million uninfected people. In total, they found a 33-fold increase in the risk of pulmonary embolism, a five-fold increase in the risk of DVT, and a nearly two-fold increase in the risk of bleeding in the 30 days after infection. People remained at increased risk of pulmonary embolism for six months after being infected for both two and three months for bleeding and DVT. Although the risks were higher in patients with more serious illness, even those with mild Covid had a threefold increased risk of STDs and a sevenfold increased risk of pulmonary embolism. No increased risk of bleeding was found in those with mild infections. “Pulmonary embolism can be fatal, so it is important to know this [of this risk]Said Connolly. “If you suddenly find yourself with shortness of breath and it does not pass, [and] “If you are infected with the coronavirus, then it may be an idea to seek help, because we see this increased risk for up to six months.” Ho said the effects remained relative even in the Omicron era, as current vaccines were extremely effective against severe Covid, but unprecedented infections were common, even after the third dose of a vaccine. “Despite the possibility of new variants of concern, most governments are lifting the restrictions and focusing on determining the best way to live with Covid. This study reminds us of the need to remain vigilant about complications associated with even mild Sars-CoV-2 infection, including [blood clots]. »
