Clinical Characteristics of Asymptomatic Thromboembolism in Psychiatric Inpatients: A Retrospective Study

Abstract

Purpose

Venous thromboembolism (VTE) poses a significant threat to individuals’ health, yet its correlation with mental disorders remains underappreciated. Here, we conducted a retrospective analysis to explore the characteristics of psychiatric patients presenting with VTE.

Methods

We retrospectively analyzed psychiatric inpatients with elevated plasma D-dimer levels at the Mental Health Center, First Affiliated Hospital, Zhejiang University School of Medicine, from January 2014 to January 2022. The inclusion criteria comprised comprehensive demographic and clinical profiles, including laboratory and imaging findings.

Results

A cohort of 33 eligible patients was included, with plasma D-dimer levels ranging from 880 to 10,700 μg/L FEU. Significantly higher D-dimer levels were observed in patients diagnosed with severe mental disorders (SMD), such as schizophrenia and bipolar disorder, compared to those with mild mental disorders (MMD), including depression and anxiety disorders (p = 0.007). Furthermore, individuals receiving antipsychotic medications for less than one year exhibited elevated D-dimer levels compared to those on treatment for over one year (p = 0.005). However, normalization of D-dimer levels did not demonstrate a significant association with psychiatric diagnosis or treatment duration (p > 0.05).

Conclusion

Our findings suggest that patients diagnosed with SMD or those undergoing antipsychotic treatment for less than one year may have elevated D-dimer levels, indicating a potential predisposition to VTE severity. This underscores the importance of recognizing VTE risk in individuals with severe mental disorders and warrants further investigation into the impact of antipsychotic treatment duration on thrombotic risk.

Keywords:

• asymptomatic thromboembolism
• D-dimer
• psychiatric disorder
• risk factors

Data Sharing Statement

Datasets of this study are available from the corresponding author on reasonable request.

Ethical Statement

This study was conducted in accordance with the Declaration of Helsinki and approved by the institutional review board of the First Affiliated Hospital, Zhejiang University School of Medicine. We have erased patient personal information to ensure that no information will be leaked and patients waived signing informed consent for the study.

Acknowledgments

Thanks to Ms Hongli Qi, Ms Huimin Huang, Ms Yiyi Zhu, Ms Xingle Gao, Mr Danhua Zhang, Mr Jiajun Jiang, Ms Caixi Xi, Ms Lingling Wu, for giving some opinions during the completion of the article.

Author Contributions

All authors made a significant contribution to the work reported, whether that is in the conception, study design, execution, acquisition of data, analysis and interpretation, or in all these areas; took part in drafting, revising or critically reviewing the article; gave final approval of the version to be published; have agreed on the journal to which the article has been submitted; and agree to be accountable for all aspects of the work.

Disclosure

The authors declare no conflicts of interest related to the subject of this study.

Additional information

Funding

This work was supported by the National Natural Science Foundation [No. 81971271 to SH.H.], the Zhejiang Provincial Natural Science Foundation [No. LQ20H090013 to JB.L.], and the Program from the Health and Family Planning Commission of Zhejiang Province [No.2020KY548 to JB.L.].