Risk of venous thromboembolism in patients hospitalized in an orthopedic department

Introduction
The study aimed to assess the risk of VTE and its determinants in patients hospitalized in the Orthopaedic Trauma Department.

Material and methods
The study involved 133 patients hospitalized at the Trauma and Orthopaedics Ward of the Health Care Complex in Skarżysko-Kamienna, District Hospital of Maria Skłodowska-Curie. The respondents were divided into 2 groups: patients treated conservatively (n = 47) and those treated surgically (n = 66). The research was carried out using the method of diagnostic survey. The Padua Prediction Score and the Caprini Risk Assessment Scale were used, accompanied by a questionnaire with questions about sociodemographic variables and patients’ medical problems.

Results
The mean age in the group of conservatively treated patients was 58.7 (± 16.6) years, and among patients treated surgically it was 61.2 (± 15.9) years. Women constituted the majority in both groups, as well as people living in the city and remaining in relationships. On the Padua Prediction Score, only 12.77% of conservatively treated patients were characterized as a high risk of VTE. However, the Caprini scale results indicated a high risk in 65.15% of respondents and average risk of VTE in 27.27% of patients. Age, use of lower limb immobilization, and immobilization of the patient in bed were critical risk factors for VTE in both groups.

Conclusions
A higher risk of venous thromboembolism was found in the examined group of patients treated surgically. The age and necessity of immobilizing the patient in bed significantly influenced the level of risk for venous thromboembolism in both conservatively and surgically treated patients.