OBJECTIVETo analyze the risk factors for deep vein thrombosis (DVT) of the lower extremity in patients with bone metastases.

METHODSNinety patients with bone metastases were admitted to our hospital From January 2010 to December 2011, and their clinical data were retrospectively analyzed. There were 57 males and 33 females with a mean age of 61 years (range, 27 to 78 years). On admission, all cases were detected by color Doppler ultrasonography for DVT of bilateral lower extremities. Univariate and multivariate analyses were performed to determine the probable risk factors including gender, age, body weight, tumor location, bed confinement and etc.

RESULTSAmong the 90 patients, DVT was found in 24 patients on admission and the DVT incidence was 26.7% (24/90). The univariate analysis showed that bed confinement, multiple metastasis, pathological fracture, primary lesion detected, blood group, fibrinogen and hematocrit were significantly related to the incidence of DVT (P < 0.05). The logistic multivariate regression analysis showed that bed confinement, pathological fracture and fibrinogen were independent risk factors for the incidence of DVT.

CONCLUSIONSBed confinement, pathological fracture and fibrinogen are independent risk factors for the incidence of DVT for patients with bone metastases. Patients with bed confinement >3 days, pathological fracture or fibrinogen >4 g/L should be routinely screened for lower extremity DVT on admission. Once identified, the DVT patients should be treated as early as possible.