Chronic inflammatory bowel diseases (IBD), including ulcerative colitis (UC) and Crohn's disease (CD), are characterized by chronic immune-mediated inflammation primarily affecting the gastrointestinal tract. Venous and arterial thromboembolic events are significant extra-intestinal manifestations of IBD, but their pathogenic mechanisms are not fully understood. IBD patients have double the risk of venous thromboembolism (VTE) compared to the general population, with particularly high risk in pediatric patients, and an increased mortality rate. They also face a higher risk of early atherosclerosis and future cardiovascular events, such as myocardial infarction, ischemic stroke, and peripheral artery disease. The prevalence of thromboembolic events in IBD ranges from 1.3% to 7.7%, with venous events at around 5% and ischemic heart disease, cerebrovascular disease, and peripheral artery disease at 1-2%.
Diagnosis of IBD (both CD and UC, both in active and quiescent stages of disease)
Age > 18 years
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Other inflammatory states other than IBD (e.g., neoplasm, autoimmune diseases, liver cirrhosis)
Age < 18 years
Pregnant woman
Lack of informed consent