Researchers have investigated the association between venous thromboembolism and prolonged work and computer-related seated immobility.
Irene Braithwaite and colleagies from the Medical Research Institute of New Zealand, Wellington 6242, New Zealand; Capital and Coast District Health Board, Wellington 6021, New Zealand; The Medical Research Institute of New Zealand, Wellington 6242, New Zealand. and the University of Otago, Wellington 6021, New Zealand.
200 patients attending venous thromboembolism clinics with a history of deep vein thrombosis and/or pulmonary embolism in the past six months were compared to 200 (control) patients treated in a fracture clinic for an upper limb injury in the past six months.
The authors found that prolonged work and computer-related seated immobility (categorical variable) was present in 36 (18%) cases and 31 (15.5%) controls. In multivariate analysis, there was no significant association between prolonged seated immobility and venous thromboembolism.
For the mean and maximum number of hours seated in a 24-h period, the odds ratios for the association per additional hour seated with venous thromboembolism were 1.08 (95% CI 1.01 to 1.6), P = 0.02.
This study found a weak association between venous thromboembolism and prolonged work- and computer-related seated immobility, with increasing mean hours seated associated with a higher risk of venous thromboembolism.
Braithwaite I, Healy B, Cameron L, Weatherall M, Beasley R. Venus thromboembolsim risk associated with protracted work- and computer-related seated immobilioty: a case controlled study. JRSM Open 2016; August 1: 7(8).
Dr Karamanoukian's comment: This research is more relevant in 2021 as there is a larger and larger proportion of people who are working from their home offices.