Pharmaceutica Analytica Acta

Abstract

The Risk of Venous Thromboembolism in Algerian Patients

Chalal N and Demmouche A

Venous thromboembolism (VTE) including deep venous thrombosis and pulmonary embolism is a common disease associated with substantial morbidity and mortality. VTE is becoming increasingly common in Algeria but published data on its frequency and risk factors are lacking.
The purpose of our study was to determine the frequency, risk factors of this disease in Sidibel abbes region, Northwest Algeria.
A retrospective study of patients hospitalized for DVT and/or PE was carried out between January 1, 2006 and June 10, 2012 at the cardiology department of Sidibel abbes University Hospital Center.
183 VTE patients (71 men [38.7%, age 51.5 ± 17.7years] and 112 women [61.2%, age 46.4 ± 17.9 years]) were included. Deep venous thrombosis (DVT) occurred in 146 (79.7%), pulmonary embolism (PE) in 37 (20.2%) including 16 with concurrent DVT.
The most common risk factors among DVT patients were: immobility, hypertension, surgery and oral contraception whereas, immobility, surgery, hypertension and fractures were the most frequent risk factors among PE patients.
12.02% of patients had a previous VTE. 24.7% of patients had several risk factors. Lower extremity DVT
accounted for 97.5% of cases and upper extremity DVT for only 2.5%.
In conclusion, although its frequency is not a cause for alarm, it will be important to adopt a suitable prophylactic strategy to combat the growing prevalence of VTE in the region of SidiBel Abbes.