Exploration of the characteristics of lower extremity deep vein thrombosis in patients admitted to a tertiary general hospital in a fourth-tier city in China: A retrospective study

As the pace of life accelerates and people's living and working habits evolve, the incidence of lower extremity venous diseases remains high and trends upward each year. This surge has significantly impacted both the quality of life and work efficiency of those affected. Additionally, the occurrence and progression of lower-extremity deep vein thrombosis (LEDVT) are influenced by the economic and cultural characteristics of specific regions. Adult patients with central LEDVT with or without pulmonary embolism (PE) were retrospectively analyzed. General condition, concomitant diseases, laboratory tests, and other clinical characteristics were analyzed. The medical records of 100 patients were analyzed. The age distribution was nonnormally distributed (P = .004), ranging from 31 to 87 (65.3 ± 11.5) years; notably, 58% of the patients were 65 years or older. Males (56%) outnumbered females slightly. Among the 94 patients assessed, 90 had D-dimer levels ≥ 1 µg DDU/mL. At admission, 58 patients were diagnosed with central LEDVT, of which 23 were confirmed to have PE via computerized tomography imaging. Symptoms varied, with 35 patients presenting with leg symptoms and 33 with chest symptoms; only 2 patients exhibited both leg and chest symptoms, while 34 patients showed no obvious signs of deep vein thrombosis upon admission. Furthermore, only 12 patients were admitted specifically for LEDVT, with most presenting complications related to other systemic or organ diseases. LEDVT is more prevalent in elderly patients aged ≥ 65 years. The incidence observed in patients aged ≥ 75 years may be influenced by local economic and overall life expectancy. Symptoms may include typical leg symptoms, whereas progression to PE can present with chest symptoms. Additionally, some patients may exhibit neither leg nor chest symptoms, as these can be obscured by the manifestations of other concurrent diseases. LEDVT often co-exists with multiple systemic or organ-related conditions, making it essential to screen for deep vein thrombosis in patients with elevated D-dimer levels.