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Further reinforcing results of previous studies, new research
from New Zealand suggests that the use of oral contraceptives may
cause a nearly 10-fold increase the risk of developing a fatal pulmonary
embolism.
Several previous case-control studies had found that their use
was associated with an increased risk of deep-vein thromboses and
nonfatal pulmonary embolism.
The incidence was somewhat higher than we expected" stated
one on the study's authors, who found that 65%
of women who died from pulmonary embolisms were current
oral contraceptive users.
The risk of death from pulmonary embolism in oral contraceptive
users was estimated at 10.5 deaths per 1 million woman-years, which
is much higher than previous estimates, which had put the annual
incidence at 1 or 2 per 10,000 women, with a fatality rate of only
1-2%.
Risk factors for pulmonary embolism includes a past history of
deep venous thrombosis, being extremely overweight, or prolonged
immobility.
Lancet 2000; 355: 2133-2134
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