Awareness of venous thromboembolism and thromboprophylaxis among hospitalized patients: a cross-sectional study

Abstract

BackgroundPatient awareness of venous thromboembolism (VTE) and thromboprophylaxis is essential for their safety. In this study, we evaluated patients’ awareness of VTE and their perceptions of thromboprophylaxis.MethodsWe administered a cross-sectional survey to patients hospitalized at the King Abdulaziz Medical City, Riyadh, Saudi Arabia.ResultsOf 190 patients approached, 174 completed the survey, constituting a response rate of 95%. Most participants (72%) were receiving thromboprophylaxis. However, only 32 and 15% reported knowledge of deep vein thrombosis (DVT) and pulmonary embolism (PE), respectively. Fifty-five percent of participants with knowledge of DVT identified swelling of the leg as a symptom. Risk factors for blood clot development were correctly identified by about half of participants, although most agreed that blood clots can cause death (77%). The level of awareness of DVT or PE did not significantly differ by respondents’ demographics. However, awareness of DVT or PE was significantly higher among those with a personal or family history of VTE. Participants had positive perceptions of thromboprophylaxis and were satisfied with treatment (> 69%), but perceived its adverse effects less favorably and reported lower satisfaction with the information provided about DVT and PE (46%).ConclusionThis study demonstrates the lack of awareness of VTE, DVT, and PE among hospitalized patients. More attention must be paid to patient education to ensure safe and high-quality patient care.

Public awareness of venous thromboembolism in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia

“…The present results were in coincidence with those of a previous study, conducted globally, that found low awareness of each of DVT (44%) and PE (54%) (Wendelboe et al, 2015). Similarly, one study was conducted among hospitalized patients in King Abdulaziz Medical City, Riyadh, Saudi Arabia with a percentage of DVT and PE were 32% and 15%, respectively (Almodaimegh et al, 2017). Those results were also similar to other studies conducted among cancer patients (Sousou and Khorana, 2010).…”

“…VTE is a fatal disease associated with high morbidity and mortality rate possibly due to its difficult diagnosis since it fails to appear on clinical screenings (Ekwere et al, 2015;Almodaimegh et al, 2017). Because of its nonspecific signs and symptoms that vary between individuals, it cannot be simply prevented (Almodaimegh et al, 2017;Kharaba et al, 2017).…”

“…VTE is a fatal disease associated with high morbidity and mortality rate possibly due to its difficult diagnosis since it fails to appear on clinical screenings (Ekwere et al, 2015;Almodaimegh et al, 2017). Because of its nonspecific signs and symptoms that vary between individuals, it cannot be simply prevented (Almodaimegh et al, 2017;Kharaba et al, 2017). VTE has high prevalence and incidence worldwide with an approximate annual incidence rate of 1-2 per 1000 persons a year and with an approximate death of 60,000-100,000 in the United States of America (Al-Hameed et al, 2015;Ekwere et al, 2015;Scheres et al, 2018).…”

Venous thromboembolism awareness among medical students – intervention needed

“…Among the 174 patients stud-ied, only 32% were familiar with the risk and possibility of DVT occurrence, while for PE the rate was even lower, 15%. Only 5% of the patients with knowledge of DVT identified leg swelling as a potential DVT symptom [26].…”

Knowledge gaps in patients with venous thromboembolism: usefulness of a new questionnaire

“…Almodaimegh et al, 6 who evaluated patients' awareness of VTE and their perceptions of thromboprophylaxis, using 18 closed -ended questions developed by combining 2 previously validated surveys, 8,10 reported poor awareness of DVT and PE among hospitalized patients. Le Sage et al 8 demonstrated that one fifth of participants of their study had never heard of either DVT or PE.…”