Risk factors for deep venous thrombosis in tetraparesic mentally retarded patients

Objectives: The risk factors and incidence of deep venous thrombosis were studied in a population of para- and tetraparesic patients institutionalized for long durations.

Methods: Retrospectively, the antecedents and risk factors of deep venous thrombosis were collected for each patient.

Results: Data were available for 57 patients. The mean duration of hospitalization was 18 years. None of the patients presented thromboembolic pathology. Ninety-three per cent of the patients were spastic tetraparesic, 7% were spastic paraparesic. Sixty per cent of the patients presented added risk factors, mostly orthopaedic surgery, bone fractures and hormonal treatments.

Conclusion: Spasticity probably plays a role in preventing deep venous thrombosis in paralysed patients, but it does not fully explain the absence of deep venous thrombosis in this population.