Aetiology of Deep Vein Thrombosis in 63 Turkish Patients

Aim: The aetiology of deep vein thrombosis differs among populations throughout the world. This study examines the aetiology of deep vein thrombosis in Turkish patients. Materials and Methods: Our study involved the treatment of 63 patients, including follow-up in our outpatient department, between November 2006 and December 2007. There were 29 female and 34 male patients with a mean age of 49.35 + 14.19 (range 25 - 85 years). Deep vein thrombosis was identified using a Doppler-/ duplex sonogram. A small pulmonary embolism was present in 5 patients. Results: Follow-up was carried out in 58 patients (92.06%). The causes of deep vein thrombosis were detectable in 43 patients (68.25%) by anamnesis and physical examination. Immobilization was present in 33 patients (52.38%). A thrombophilia test was carried out in 29 patients. In 20 patients (31.74%) with the first manifestation of deep vein thrombosis, no cause for deep vein thrombosis could be found in the anamnesis. A thrombophilia test was carried out through analysis of Protein C, Protein S, APCR (Activated Protein C Resistance), and Factor V Leiden in 12 (60%) of these 20 patients. In 11 (91.66%) of these 12 patients, thrombophilia was positive. Conclusions: The main causes of deep vein thrombosis in the Turkish population were immobilization (52.38%) and thrombophilia (51.72%). The incidence of both causes is approximately equal. In the healthy Turkish population with the first manifestation of deep vein thrombosis, thrombophilia can be positive in 91.66% of patients.