FREQUENCY OF THROMBOEMBOLISM IN PATIENTS WITH HEMATOLOGICAL MALIGNANCIES

Abstract

Objective: To identify the frequency of thromboembolism among hematological malignancy patients.

Material and Methods: This cross-sectional study was carried out in the Department of Clinical Hematology and Bone Marrow Transplantation, Shifa International Hospital, Islamabad, and over a period of three months. The sample size of 142 patients was calculated with the WHO sample size calculator and non-probability consecutive sampling was used to enroll patient’s admitted with hematological malignancies. The objective imaging (duplex ultrasonography of deep vein thrombosis and computed tomography pulmonary angiography of pulmonary embolism) was used to diagnose thromboembolism. Imaging was only done to clinically suspected patients. Binary logistic regression was conducted to detect associated factors, and adjusted odds ratios (ORs) with 95% confidence intervals (CIs). A p-value <0.05 was considered statistically significant.

Results: Among 142 patients (mean age 49.8 ± 17.6 years; 62.0% male), the frequency of thromboembolism was 9.9% (14/142; 95% CI: 5.5%–16.2%). The most frequent presentation was the presence of deep vein thrombosis (64.3%), and pulmonary embolism (35.7%). On multivariable analysis, age >50 years (OR 2.89; 95% CI: 1.04–8.01; p=0.041), BMI ≥30 kg/m² (OR 3.75; 95% CI: 1.12–12.52; p=0.032), and diabetes mellitus (OR 3.12; 95% CI: 1.01–9.67; p=0.048) were significantly associated with thromboembolism.

Conclusion: One of the complications that is rather frequent among patients with hematological malignancies is thromboembolism. Elderly age, obesity, and diabetes mellitus are major risk factors.