Value of family history in identifying women at risk of venous thromboembolism during oral contraception: observational study

Common inherited thrombophilic defects such as factor V Leiden and G20120A mutation of the prothrombin gene inter act synergistically with oral contra ceptives to increase the risk of venous thromboembolism.(1 2) The best appr oach to identify women at higher risk of venous thromboembolism before taki ng oral contraceptives is controversial. Universal screening is not cost ef fective because 8000 women need to be screened for factor V Leiden to detec t 400 mutations and prevent one episode of venous thromboembolism.(1) Many authors recommend selective screening in women with a personal or family hi story of venous thromboembolism.(1) However; the effectiveness of this appr oach has not been proved, The aim of our study was to evaluate the sensitiv ity and positive predictive value of a family history of venous thromboembo lism for identifying common thrombophilic defects in women without thrombos is before taking oral contraceptives.