Deep vein thrombosis in response to stress induced by earthquakes in Japan: a meta-analysis of possible exacerbating factors.

The principal goal of this study was to assess factors associated with deep vein thrombosis (DVT) in the aftermath of earthquakes in Japan. We searched PubMed, Google Scholar, Web of Science, and Cochrane Library for articles published in English or Japanese regarding indicators for DVT associated with Japanese earthquakes. We calculated pooled odds ratios (OR) or mean differences (MD) with 95% confidence intervals (CIs) for patients with DVT (the DVT group) as compared with the non-DVT group for potential predictors. Ultimately, 7 articles were included in the analysis, comprising 6,637 subjects (DVT, 895; and non-DVT, 5,742). The following factors proved statistically significant: female gender (OR = 1.48, 95% CI; 1.20-1.81, p = 0.0002), greater age (MD = 4.44, 95% CI; 1.62-7.25, p = 0.002), hypertension (OR = 1.44, 95% CI; 1.18-1.75, p = 0.0003), heart disease (OR = 1.45, 95% CI; 1.07-1.97, p = 0.02), previous history of DVT (OR = 9.23, 95% CI; 2.94-28.91, p = 0.0001), sleeping pill use (OR = 1.81, 95% CI; 1.37-2.38, p = 0.0001), lower leg varix (OR = 1.63, 95% CI; 1.17-2.28, p = 0.004), and soleal vein dilatation ≥ 8 mm (OR = 2.13, 95% CI; 1.32-3.42, p = 0.002). Our findings furnish insights that can aid in making informed choices about healthcare and policy in the context of earthquake-induced stress.