Clinical prediction of lower limb deep vein thrombosis in symptomatic hospitalized patients

Thromb Haemost. 2001 Oct;86(4):985-90.

Abstract

We evaluated two clinical scores for the prediction of deep venous thrombosis (DVT) in hospitalized patients (Wells' and Kahn's). We included 273 patients referred to the vascular exploration unit for the suspicion of DVT. A clinical questionnaire was tilled in by the practitioner and the scores were calculated from this form. 66 of the 273 patients had a DVT. When Wells' score was 3, a DVT was found by duplex echography in 51% patients; when the score was 0, a DVT was found in 9%. Kahn's score was not adapted to this population. We then developed a new simple score (cancer, palsy or plaster immobilization, warmth, superficial venous dilation, unilateral pitting edema, other diagnosis). A DVT was found in 76% patients with a score of 3 and in 11% in those with a score of 0. We therefore propose a 6-item score whose main advantages are simplicity and usefulness in routine practice.

Publication types

  • Comparative Study
  • Evaluation Study

MeSH terms

  • Female
  • Follow-Up Studies
  • Hospital Departments
  • Hospitals, University
  • Humans
  • Inpatients
  • Male
  • Multivariate Analysis
  • Neoplasms / complications
  • Observer Variation
  • Predictive Value of Tests
  • Prospective Studies
  • ROC Curve
  • Risk Factors
  • Severity of Illness Index*
  • Surveys and Questionnaires
  • Ultrasonography, Doppler, Duplex
  • Venous Thrombosis / diagnosis*
  • Venous Thrombosis / diagnostic imaging
  • Venous Thrombosis / etiology