Product News and Recalls

Study says infection a risk factor in blood clots

Researchers at the University of Michigan Health System are publishing a study this month in the Journal of Circulation indicating that older adults who get infections are nearly three times as likely to be hospitalized for a blood clot in their deep veins or lungs.

The study shows that recent exposure to an infection of any kind — including urinary, skin, or respiratory tract infections – is the most common predictor of hospitalization for a blood clot that results in potentially life-threatening thromboembolism.

According to the study, the rate of hospitalization for venous thromboembolism is steadily increasing in the United States, with more than 330,000 hospital admissions for the condition a year.

The study cites several other strong predictors of hospitalization for blood clots, including blood transfusions and certain types of prescribed drugs.

The Mayo Clinic cites use of birth control pills, as well as pregnancy, as risk factors for potentially fatal blood clots.

But credible research shows that certain types of birth control medication carry a higher risk than others. Numerous studies conclude that pills containing drospirenone carry up to three times the risk of potentially fatal blood clots. The U.S. Food and Drug Administration recently cited these studies when mandating label changes to contraceptives containing drospirenone.

Birth control pills with drospirenone include Yasmin, Yaz, Beyaz and Ocella.

The study can be found here: https://circ.ahajournals.org/content/early/2012/03/21/CIRCULATIONAHA.111.084467.abstract?sid=909ebb9b-5d91-4d33-a67e-4ca0dbc80cb8