[Venous thromboembolic disease in a rural area of Southern Extremadura (Spain)].
OBJECTIVE
To study the characteristics of the venous thromboembolic disease (VTD) in a rural area of Southern Extremadura (Spain).


METHODS
Prospective observational study of all patients diagnosed by objective methods of VTD in the only hospital in our area from November 2002 to November 2004.


RESULTS
Seventy-six patients were diagnosed of VTD: 35 (46.1%) with pulmonary thromboembolism and 41 (53.9%) with isolated deep vein thrombosis (DVT). The median age was 72.4 years (range 35-94 years), 51 (67.1%) were older than 70 years, and 43 (56.6%) were women. The annual incidence of VTD was 0.63 per 1,000 persons (0.74 per 1,000 persons in women and 0.54 per 1,000 persons in men). Thirty-seven patients (48.7%) had "idiopathic" VTD. After a median follow-up of 5.5 months with anticoagulant therapy, 13 patients (17.1%) had dead. Comorbidity and non "idiopathic" VTD were significantly more frequent in the dead patients. Three patients (3.9%) presented probable recurrence, and all of them died. There were 4 cases (5.3%) of non-fatal severe hemorrhage. Nine patients with isolated DVT did not require hospitalization, and there was no event in the follow-up.


CONCLUSIONS
The incidence of VTD may be lower in our area than in other geographical areas. VTD affects more frequently to elderly and women, and almost half of cases are "idiopathic". The mortality is high, and it is related to the existence of comorbidity and non "idiopathic" VTD. The recurrences and the severe hemorrhages are not exceptional during the anticoagulant therapy. The ambulatory treatment of isolated DVT may be an option in selected patients.
Calvo Romero
J M
JM
Servicio de Medicina Interna, Hospital de Zafra, Badajoz. jmcromero@eresmas.com
Arévalo Lorido
J C
JC
Romero Requena
J
J
Pérez Alonso
J L
JL
Ortiz Descane
C
C
Gutiérrez Montaño
C
C
Carretero Gómez
J
J
D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D011655:Pulmonary Embolism / Q000453:epidemiology*; D012424:Rural Population; D013030:Spain / Q000453:epidemiology; D020246:Venous Thrombosis / Q000453:epidemiology*