Abstract

Background: Excess body weight is a risk factor for a first venousthromboembolism.Theimpactofexcessbodyweight on risk of recurrent venous thrombosis is uncertain.Methods: We studied 1107 patients for an average of 46 months after a first unprovoked venous thromboembolism and withdrawal of anticoagulant therapy.Excluded were pregnant patients, those requiring longterm antithrombotic treatment, and those who had a previous or secondary thrombosis, natural coagulation inhibitor deficiency, lupus anticoagulant, or cancer.Our study end point was symptomatic recurrent venous thromboembolism.