Acute Lower Limb Deep Venous Thrombosis Diagnosed by Doppler Ultrasound among Bedridden Patients

Abstract

Background: Acute lower limb deep venous thrombosis (DVT) is a serious condition that could lead to venous thromboembolism (VTE). Up to our knowledge, little is known about the risk factors for developing acute lower limb DVT in bedridden patients across Saudi Arabia. So we conducted this study aiming to determine the incidence and medical conditions that increase the risk for developing acute lower limb DVT in suspected cases of bedridden patients admitted in or referred to Radiology Department, King Abdul-Aziz University Hospital for lower limb Doppler ultrasound examination. Method: A cross sectional study of 83 patients admitted in or referred to KAU hospital during the year 2016 and underwent lower limb Doppler examination. Result: The reported incidence of lower limb DVT, after undergoing lower limb Doppler examination, in the suspected cases reviewed by Radiology Department, King Abdul-Aziz University Hospital in Jeddah was 13 (15.7%). The cases of DVT was 76.9% women. Elderly was the highest risk factor of acute limb DVT as 53.8% were elderly patients, followed by diabetes 30.8%, hypertension 15.4% and cancer 7.7%, The effect of the studied risk factors on DVT was insignificant (P value >0.05). Conclusion & recommendations: Lower Limb DVT has high prevalence (15.7%) in bedridden patients in Jeddah, KSA. Thrombophilia screening should be reserved for elderly, diabetics, hypertensive, and those with cancers or patients with other risk factors. Knowing the most common risk factors and their significance in developing DVT is essential for early detection of DVT to prevent the unwanted complications.