title: Incidence and course of symptomatic deep venous thrombosis of the lower extremities in a black Caribbean population.
abstract: During a 5-year period 131 patients with symptomatic deep venous thrombosis of the lower extremities (DVT) were identified in a black Caribbean population. Eighty-one patients (61%) had objective evidence (ascending venography), while in 39% the diagnosis was based on clinical findings only. The overall annual incidence rate for definite DVT was 11 per 100,000 person years; there was a steep increase with age in both sexes. Proximal DVT was present in 69% of patients. Swelling (92%), pain on palpation (89%) and tenderness (87%) were the most frequent symptoms, while immobilization (43%) and varicosities (42%) were the most frequent risk factors; DVT was rare during pregnancy (1 in 15,000 deliveries). Seventeen patients (21%) developed pulmonary embolism and five patients (6.2%) died during the hospital stay (four of fatal pulmonary embolism, one due to toxic epidermolysis after venography). We conclude, that symptomatic DVT of the lower extremities has a low incidence in this black Caribbean population, but is nonetheless associated with considerable morbidity and mortality due to pulmonary embolism.
authors.affiliation: Department of Internal Medicine, St. Elisabeth Hospital, Willemstad, Curaçao, Netherlands Antilles.
authors.forename: J C
authors.initials: JC
authors.lastname: Nossent
authors.forename: N C
authors.initials: NC
authors.lastname: Egelie
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D044383:Black People; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D015994:Incidence; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D009427:Netherlands Antilles / Q000453:epidemiology; D010690:Phlebography; D011247:Pregnancy; D011250:Pregnancy Complications, Hematologic / Q000453:epidemiology; D011655:Pulmonary Embolism / Q000453:epidemiology / Q000209:etiology; D012307:Risk Factors; D013924:Thrombophlebitis / Q000150:complications / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000453:epidemiology*