AOS2 Prevalence of symptomatic deep vein thrombosis in patients with cancer admitted to the National Kidney and Transplant Institute in the Philippines

Abstract

Background Prevention of cancer-associated thrombosis is important for reducing the burden of disease, yet it has received little attention from clinicians. In this study we aimed to assess the prevalence of deep venous thrombosis (DVT) in patients with solid and haematological malignancies who were admitted to the National Kidney and Transplant Institute (NKTI) and to define the profile of patients with cancer who developed DVT. Methods In this retrospective study, charts of inpatients with cancer who developed DVT from January 2005 to December 2010, were reviewed. ICD-10 codes for DVT and pulmonary embolism were used to search for patients. The total number of patients with cancer was obtained from the medical records section of the electronic database. Findings Ten thousand two hundred and ninety-nine patients with cancer were admitted to NKTI from 2005 to 2010. Forty-six developed DVT (prevalence 0.45%). Prevalence in solid and haematological malignancies was 0.44% and 0.43%, respectively. DVT commonly occurred within 6 months of cancer diagnosis, and in patients with stage IV malignancies and those who were obese. Lung cancer was the most common malignancy that presented with DVT. Leg oedema was the most common initial manifestation. Doppler venous ultrasonography frequently showed proximal DVT with or without distal involvement. Twnety-one deaths were known to have occurred after diagnosis of DVT. Most patients died within 1–3 months of the onset of DVT. Septic shock was the most common cause of death. Interpretation The results suggest that DVT in patients admitted to NKTI occur in those with late-stage cancer and that the thrombosis is usually extensive, symptomatic, and arises early after the initial diagnosis of cancer. Also, after the onset of DVT, most patients died within 1–3 months, which is lower than the median survival cited in previous studies. The authors declared no conflicts of interest.