Key result
A Caprini score >11 points was associated with a six-fold increased risk of venous thromboembolism compared to a score of 0-2 (OR 6.3), though the overall discriminative predictive performance of the score was moderate (AUC 0.64).
Why the study?
The study was conducted to validate the Caprini score in patients undergoing any orthopedic surgery.
Does the Caprini score accurately predict the risk of post-operative venous thromboembolism in patients undergoing orthopedic surgeries?
Case-Control (n=10,359)
Yes
Does the Caprini score accurately predict the risk of post-operative venous thromboembolism in patients undergoing orthopedic surgeries?
Odds Ratio: 6.3 (95% CI 1.7–22.9)
The Caprini score demonstrated only moderate discriminative ability (AUC 0.64) for predicting post-operative VTE across a wide range of orthopedic surgeries, suggesting it may not be sufficient for routine clinical decision-making in this population.
Caprini score's moderate accuracy warrants caution for VTE risk stratification in orthopedic surgery; leaves open need for better-validated tools.
PURPOSE : The purpose of this study was to validate the Caprini score in patients undergoing any orthopedic surgery. METHODS : Data from a large population-based case–control study (MEGA study) on the etiology of VTE were used. Cases and controls completed a questionnaire on risk factors for VTE, which information was used to calculate the Caprini score. Odds Ratios (OR) with their 95% Confidence Intervals (95%CI) were calculated. Sensitivity, specificity and positive predictive value (PPV) were also evaluated. The overall discriminative predictive performance was assessed by estimating the Area Under the Curve (AUC) with a Receiver Operating Characteristic. RESULTS: Of 4,721 cases and 5,638 controls, 263 cases and 94 controls had undergone an orthopedic surgery. A total of 20.9% (55/263) cases and 41.5% (39/94) controls were classified in the lowest risk group (Caprini <5 points). Patients with a Caprini score >11 points had about six-fold (OR 6.3, CI 95% 1.7-22.9) increased risk of VTE and patients with a score of 9-10 had a three-fold increased risk (OR 3.5, CI 95% 1.2-10.3), as compared to patients with a Caprini score of 0-2 points. The discriminative performance was moderate with an AUC of 0.64 (CI 95% 0.58-0.71). Using a cut-off >5 points to stratify patients at high risk of VTE, the sensitivity was 79%, the specificity was 41% and the PPV 2.3%. CONCLUSION : The Caprini score is a tool that can assist orthopedic surgeons to classify patients’ risk for post-operative VTE. However, its discriminative predictive performance was estimated to be moderate.
No takes yet. Share an insight, caveat, or question.
Zambelli et al. (2022) conducted a case-control in Venous thromboembolism (VTE) (n=10,359). Caprini score >11 points vs. Caprini score 0-2 points was evaluated on Venous thromboembolism (VTE) (OR 6.3, 95% CI 1.7-22.9). A Caprini score >11 points was associated with a six-fold increased risk of venous thromboembolism compared to a score of 0-2 (OR 6.3), though the overall discriminative predictive performance of the score was moderate (AUC 0.64).
Synapse has enriched 5 closely related papers on similar clinical questions. Consider them for comparative context: