title: Predicting the need for further thrombosis diagnostics in suspected DVT is increased by using age adjusted D-dimer values.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  Negative D-dimer values combined with clinical decision rules by Wells can help in excluding the diagnosis deep vein thrombosis (DVT). However, with increasing age D-dimer levels increase, possibly leading to false positive results.
  
  
  METHODS
  In this prospective study we compared the specificity and sensitivity of conventional D-dimer levels and age adjusted D-dimer levels in the diagnosis of DVT. We included 528 patients, all over 50years of age, of whom 117 had a DVT confirmed by duplex ultrasound.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Age adjusted D-dimer cut-off values had higher specificity compared to conventional D-dimer values (24.6% vs. 8.5%) as well as a higher negative predictive value (91,8% vs. 89,7%). Therefore we conclude that age adjusted D-dimer levels could be used to exclude the diagnosis of DVT. Ultimately this could lead to the performance of less duplex ultrasounds reducing health care costs and discomfort for the patient.
authors.affiliation: Laboratory of Clinical Chemistry and Hematology, Zuyderland Medical Center, Sittard-Geleen, The Netherlands. Electronic address: kellybroen@gmail.com.
authors.forename: Kelly
authors.initials: K
authors.lastname: Broen
authors.affiliation: Department of Internal Medicine, Zuyderland Medical Center, Sittard-Geleen, The Netherlands.
authors.forename: Brian
authors.initials: B
authors.lastname: Scholtes
authors.affiliation: Laboratory of Clinical Chemistry and Hematology, Zuyderland Medical Center, Sittard-Geleen, The Netherlands.
authors.forename: Renée
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: Vossen
mesh_terms: D000367:Age Factors; D000368:Aged; D005260:Female; D005338:Fibrin Fibrinogen Degradation Products / Q000378:metabolism*; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D013927:Thrombosis / Q000175:diagnosis*; D020246:Venous Thrombosis / Q000175:diagnosis*
chemical_list: D005338:Fibrin Fibrinogen Degradation Products; C036309:fibrin fragment D
keywords: Age adjusted; D-dimer; Deep vein thrombosis; Diagnostics