The risk factors of deep vein thrombosis in Thammasat University Hospital

Abstract

Background: The deep vein thrombosis (DVT) is the condition that the thrombus occurs inthe dee portion of venous system and causes obstruction of venous return.It can lead to many  consequences and even fatal complication such as pulmonaryembolism. Its risk factors  should be identified for prevention and appropriatetreatment.

Method: The patients with clinical suspicion of DVT and undergone Doppler ultrasoundperformed by  radiologists at Thammasat University Hospital during 2007-2008 wereselected. Then clinical  data of included patients were reviewed. The dependentvariable was positive result of ultrasound diagnosing DVT. The data was analyzedby univariate and multivariate logistic  regression analysis to identify significantindependent variables.

Results: The Doppler ultrasound examinations were performed in 236 included patients.After  univariate logistic regression analysis, the 7 variables (ischemic heart  disease,dyslipidemia, malignancy, operation, hospitalization, immobilization, affected  side)were selected into multivariate analysis. The strongest predictive variable wasrecent  immobilization with OR 5.94. Other 3 significant factors were malignancyof abdominopelvic  organs, left side of leg, and recent hospitalization with OR2.61 2.59, and 2.00,  respectively.

Conclusion: The significant risk factors of DVT are immobilization, intra-abdominal cancers,clinically  affected left side, and hospitalization. The patients, who present withunilateral leg swelling and have these predictors, should be suspected to haveDVT and should be tested by Doppler ultrasound.

Key words: Deep vein thrombosis, DVT, Risk factor, Doppler ultrasound