Incidence of venous thromboembolism in patients with diffuse large B-cell lymphoma

Abstract

Venous thromboembolism (VTE) in patients with diffuse large B-cell lymphoma (DLBCL) is an important complication. We aimed to asses the risk of VTE and the quality of VTE discharge diagnosis in a cohort of DLBCL patients. Objective confirmed VTE events during two years of follow-up were identified by the review of medical records of consecutive patients with DLBCL at Aalborg University Hospital from 2007 until 2013. Information on baseline disease stage, lifestyle factors, and anticoagulant therapy were registered. Cox regression was used to assess VTE risk factors. The data quality on VTE discharge diagnosis was evaluated by comparing data on VTE discharge diagnosis from the Danish National Registry of Patients with information from the medical records. Eleven percent of patients were diagnosed with VTE. Prior VTE, performance status, and Ann Arbor stage were associated with VTE. The positive predictive value of a VTE discharge diagnosis was 85% and the sensitivity 53%.

Keywords:

• Cancer
• discharge diagnosis
• lymphoma
• risk factors
• venous thromboembolism