title: Incidence of venous thromboembolism in care homes: a prospective cohort study.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  Care home residents have venous thromboembolism (VTE) risk profiles similar to medical inpatients; however, the epidemiology of VTE in care homes is unclear.
  
  
  OBJECTIVE
  To determine the incidence of VTE in care homes.
  
  
  METHODS
  Observational cohort study of 45 care homes in Birmingham and Oxford, UK.
  
  
  METHODS
  A consecutive sample of care home residents was enrolled and followed up for 12 months. Data were collected via case note reviews of care home and GP records; mortality information was supplemented with Health and Social Care Information Centre (now called NHS Digital) cause of death data. All potential VTE events were adjudicated by an independent committee according to three measures of diagnostic certainty: definite VTE (radiological evidence), probable VTE (high clinical indication but no radiological evidence), or possible VTE (VTE cannot be ruled out). (Study registration number: ISTCTN80889792.) RESULTS: There were 1011 participants enrolled, and the mean follow-up period was 312 days (standard deviation 98 days). The incidence rate was 0.71 per 100 person years of observation (95% confidence interval [CI] = 0.26 to 1.54) for definite VTE, 0.83 per 100 person years (95% CI = 0.33 to 1.70) for definite and probable VTE, and 2.48 per 100 person years (95% CI = 1.53 to 3.79) for definite, probable, and possible VTE.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  The incidence of VTE in care homes in this study (0.71-2.48 per 100 person years) is substantial compared with that in the community (0.117 per 100 person years) and in people aged ≥70 years (0.44 per 100 person years). Further research regarding risk stratification and VTE prophylaxis in this population is needed.
authors.affiliation: Primary Care Clinical Sciences, Institute of Applied Health Research, University of Birmingham, Birmingham.
authors.forename: Patricia N
authors.initials: PN
authors.lastname: Apenteng
authors.affiliation: Nuffield Department of Primary Care Health Sciences, University of Oxford, Oxford.
authors.forename: Fd Richard
authors.initials: FR
authors.lastname: Hobbs
authors.affiliation: Primary Care Clinical Sciences, Institute of Applied Health Research, University of Birmingham, Birmingham.
authors.forename: Andrea
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Roalfe
authors.affiliation: Primary Care Clinical Sciences, Institute of Applied Health Research, University of Birmingham, Birmingham.
authors.forename: Usman
authors.initials: U
authors.lastname: Muhammad
authors.affiliation: Nuffield Department of Primary Care Health Sciences, University of Oxford, Oxford.
authors.forename: Carl
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Heneghan
authors.affiliation: Primary Care Clinical Sciences, Institute of Applied Health Research, University of Birmingham, Birmingham.
authors.forename: David
authors.initials: D
authors.lastname: Fitzmaurice
mesh_terms: D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D000925:Anticoagulants / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D015897:Comorbidity; D005260:Female; D005500:Follow-Up Studies; D006801:Humans; D015994:Incidence; D008134:Long-Term Care; D008297:Male; D009735:Nursing Homes; D011322:Primary Prevention; D011446:Prospective Studies; D012307:Risk Factors; D053828:Stockings, Compression / Q000706:statistics & numerical data*; D054556:Venous Thromboembolism / Q000188:drug therapy / Q000453:epidemiology / Q000517:prevention & control*
chemical_list: D000925:Anticoagulants
keywords: VTE incidence; care home residents; deep vein thrombosis; nursing home residents; pulmonary embolism; venous thromboembolism