Assessment of patients’ knowledge about venous thromboembolism

The aim of the study was the assessment of respondents’ knowledge about risk factors and the prophylaxis of venous thromboembolism (VTE).

Material and methods: The tested group constituted of 100 people, patients of “Górzyskowo” Clinic in Bydgoszcz. Tests were carried out on patients, who agreed to participate. For collecting data questionnaire was used. It contained demographic data and detailed questions, which allowed to realise the aim of the tests.

Results: Tested people most commonly stated, that influence on the VTE have: obesity (92%), varicose veins (91%), immobility (83%), blood clotting difficulties (74%). Rarely they also claimed using hormones and canceric disease. In subjective assessment of questioned people 12% of them treated themselves as being in high risk group of VTE. 48% claims that their risk is moderate and the other 40% as low. This group which assessed their risk as low was significantly younger than the group which assessed their VTE risk as moderate (p = 0.03). 33% of tested group use or used anticoagulants orally or in the form of injections. People, who used coagulants said that significant VTE risk factors were: broken limbs, operations, immobility, smoking (p < 0.05). Majority of tested group claimed that in preventing VTE significant role plays proper body mass (92%) and physical activity (86%).

Conclusions: In subjective assessment of VTE risk, similar number of respondents counts themselves as a members of moderate and low risk group. This assessment depends on the age of respondents. People, who used anticoagulants significantly more often indicated on the following risk factors: broken limbs, operations and long-term immobility.