Study to determine Wells criteria as a reliable clinical tool in diagnosis of deep vein thrombosis: a one year cross-sectional single centric hospital based study

Abstract

Background: Venous thromboembolism which encompasses deep vein thrombosis (DVT) and pulmonary embolism (PE) is one of the major cardiovascular causes of death along with myocardial infarction and stroke. DVT is a common problem in non-ambulatory and hospitalized patients. It is a major cause of morbidity and mortality in these patients. Venous thromboembolism mimics other illnesses making its diagnosis difficult. In such circumstances clinical improvement often fails to occur despite standard medical treatment of the concomitant illness.Methods: A prospective cross-sectional study was conducted at tertiary care hospital in which 40 patients with complaint of limb swelling were included. Risk was calculated according to the wells criteria and confirmed with color Doppler of the affected limb.Results: Majority of people were more than 50 years with male preponderance and with history of smoking present. Subjects had leg swelling with edema and calf tenderness. Results were well established in favor of Wells criteria for making diagnosis of DVT. This criterion showed 100% sensitivity with a negative predictive value of 100% and an accuracy of 90%.Conclusions: This criterion can help the clinicians to treat the disease before it takes a violent course and help the patients live a healthy life. The present study was done in a small proportion of patients. It is highly recommended that thorough studies and researches be conducted so that modern medicine can be highly efficacious, with newer techniques and procedures which can be beneficial for the patients.