title: Prevention of venous thromboembolism among inpatients at Cotonou teaching hospital, Benin.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  The aim of this retrospective study was to evaluate the use and appropriateness of preventive measures for venous thrombosis among adult inpatients in a Benin teaching hospital.
  
  
  METHODS
  All patients were systematically enrolled. The risk of venous thrombosis was estimated according to international guidelines. Thromboembolic events were diagnosed using the Wells score and, when possible, by paraclinical investigations. The following variables were studied: the risk of venous thrombosis, the use and appropriateness of preventive measures, and the frequency of thromboembolic events. The data were analyzed with Epiinfo 6.04.fr and SPSS software, and significance was assumed at p=0.05.
  
  
  RESULTS
  The study population consisted of 487 patients recruited in four surgical wards, four general wards and one obstetric-gynecology ward. Mean age was 38.7+/-11.3 years and the sex ratio 0.51. The risk of thrombosis was considered low in 15% of patients, moderate in 60.8%, high in 21.1% and very high in 3.1%. Prophylactic measures were prescribed to 33.9% of the patients overall, 53.6% in the obstetric gynecology ward, 28.5% in the surgical wards and 12.9% in the general wards. The frequency of preventive measures rose with the level of risk (p<0.0001). Preventive measures consisted of passive mobilization, aspirin, enoxaparin and acenocoumarol. The prescriptions were appropriate in only 6% of cases. Among 198 patients who were monitored for two months after hospital discharge, 8% had a venous thromboembolic event. Such events were more frequent in the absence of prophylaxis (12% vs 3.3%, p=0.02).
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  The risk of venous thromboembolic is recognized but poorly managed in this Bénin teaching hospital.
authors.affiliation: Faculté des sciences de la santé, BP 188, Cotonou, Benin. houindo@intnet.bj
authors.forename: Dèdonougbo
authors.initials: D
authors.lastname: Martin Houénassi
authors.forename: Yessoufou
authors.initials: Y
authors.lastname: Tchabi
authors.forename: Rosemonde
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: Akindès-Dossou Yovo
authors.forename: Jeanne
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Vehounkpe-Sacca
authors.forename: Michel
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Lawson
authors.forename: Aristote
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Hans Moevi
authors.forename: Marcel
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Zannou
authors.forename: Daniel
authors.initials: D
authors.lastname: Amoussouguenou
authors.forename: Marcel
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Gounongbe
authors.forename: Aimé
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Abode
authors.forename: Francis
authors.initials: F
authors.lastname: Dossou
authors.forename: Constant
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Adjien
authors.forename: Victoire
authors.initials: V
authors.lastname: Sagbohan
authors.forename: Joskyle
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Gnimassou
authors.forename: François
authors.initials: F
authors.lastname: Djrolo
authors.forename: René
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: Hodonou
authors.forename: Fabien
authors.initials: F
authors.lastname: Houngbe
authors.forename: Gilbert
authors.initials: G
authors.lastname: Avode
authors.forename: Sèmiou
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Latoundji
authors.forename: José
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Desouza
authors.forename: Nazaire
authors.initials: N
authors.lastname: Padonou
authors.forename: Kémoko
authors.initials: K
authors.lastname: Bagnan
authors.forename: César
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Akpo
authors.forename: Honoré
authors.initials: H
authors.lastname: Odoulami
authors.forename: Isidore
authors.initials: I
authors.lastname: Zohoun
authors.forename: Marina
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: d'Almeida-Massougbodji
authors.forename: Hippolyte
authors.initials: H
authors.lastname: Agboton
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D000925:Anticoagulants / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D005260:Female; D005602:France; D019983:Guideline Adherence; D006784:Hospitals, Teaching; D006801:Humans; D007297:Inpatients; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D015915:Motion Therapy, Continuous Passive; D017410:Practice Guidelines as Topic; D012189:Retrospective Studies; D018570:Risk Assessment; D012307:Risk Factors; D054556:Venous Thromboembolism / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000209:etiology / Q000517:prevention & control*
chemical_list: D000925:Anticoagulants