Risk factors for venous thromboembolism at the University College Hospital, Ibadan.

Abstract

Background: Venous thromboembolism (VTE) possesses a significant public health challenge as it is responsible for high morbidity and mortality rates worldwide. Risk factors play a major role in its pathogenesis. VTE risk factors identification and thromboprophylaxis will reduce the burden of disease and its treatment cost. The study aimed to review the pattern of presentation, and identify risk factors in VTE patients at the University College Hospital (UCH), Ibadan.Methods: This is a retrospective study of the hospital records of 98 confirmed VTE patients managed at UCH, Ibadan over 18 months. Demographic data and risk factors documented in the case-note were retrieved. Microsoft excel version 2013 and SPSS version 23 were employed for the statistical analysis.Results: Ninety-eight patients were studied with M: F of 1:1.6. The age range was between 15 and 87 years with a mean age of 52±17years. Seventy-one patients (72%) had DVT. Immobilization was the most frequently identified risk factor, followed by a prior diagnosis of malignancy (15.4%).Conclusion: This study further confirms immobilization as the most identifiable risk. Others include malignancies and iatrogenic causes by femoral canulation.