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Follow‐up study of patients with clinically suspected deep venous thrombosis and a normal venogram
Author(s) -
PEDERSEN L. M.,
LERCHE A.,
JØRGENSEN M.,
URHAMMER S.,
STEENBERG P.,
JENSEN R.
Publication year - 1993
Publication title -
journal of internal medicine
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 2.625
H-Index - 160
eISSN - 1365-2796
pISSN - 0954-6820
DOI - 10.1111/j.1365-2796.1993.tb00778.x
Subject(s) - medicine , medical diagnosis , medical record , presentation (obstetrics) , venous thrombosis , thrombosis , prospective cohort study , pediatrics , physical examination , surgery , radiology
. Objectives . To evaluate the clinical course in patients with clinically suspected deep venous thrombosis (DVT) of the leg and a normal venogram. Design . Prospective study over 15 months with a follow‐up of 4–12 (median 8.6) months after a normal venogram. A questionnaire survey was performed at follow‐up. Information from general practitioners and medical records was reviewed. An alternative diagnosis was established at presentation and at the time of follow‐up. Setting . The Department of Internal Medicine in a Danish university hospital. Subjects . A total of 133 consecutive out‐patients referred with clinical suspicion of DVT and a normal venogram. Main outcome measures . The state of symptoms at follow‐up. The frequency of referrals to hospitals and contacts with general practitioners or medical specialists in the follow‐up period. Clinical diagnoses provided at presentation and at follow‐up. Results . The follow‐up response rate was 78% ( n = 104). The symptoms were still present at follow‐up in 53 (51%) patients. More than half of the patients had been referred to medical facilities for the same disorder. Diagnoses could be established in 93 (70%) of the 133 patients at presentation and in 119 (89%) at follow‐up. Conclusions . The majority of patients with clinical signs and symptoms of a DVT and a normal venogram may require a follow‐up surveillance programme to ensure correct diagnosis and adequate treatment. Further studies are recommended to confirm our results and to assess the cost‐effectiveness.