DETECT-VTE: an audit of patients with venous thromboembolism and their characteristics in general practice in the United Kingdom.

BACKGROUND

There is a paucity of data informing the incidence and characteristics of patients with venous thromboembolism (VTE) in primary health care.

OBJECTIVES

The DETECT-VTE clinical audit explored the profile of patients with VTE in general practitioner (GP) practices in the UK.

METHODS

Data were audited from GP records of 687 adults with deep vein thrombosis (DVT) and/or pulmonary embolism (PE), including their characteristics, health care service presentation locations and visit frequency, symptoms, vital signs, and risk factors with which they presented.

RESULTS

VTE (DVT, 49%; PE, 46%; both, 5%) was diagnosed in 180 individuals per 100,000 in the audited population between January and December 2023. VTE diagnosis was mostly initiated at GP practices (46%), with 62% of patients having multiple health care visits in the 8 weeks prior to the initiation of their diagnosis, although reasons for these visits were not captured. Common symptoms were painful and/or swollen legs in patients with DVT and chest pain and breathlessness in patients with PE, although several less common symptoms were observed. Key preidentified VTE risk factors reported in the audit included age ≥ 60 years and obesity, with patients aged ≥60 years frequently also exhibiting obesity, immobility, cancer, recent hospitalization, and previous VTE.

CONCLUSIONS

The DETECT-VTE study emphasizes the role of GP practices in diagnosing VTE. While VTE diagnosis is typified by constellations of risk factors and symptoms, patient presentations can vary substantially. These findings reinforce the need for VTE vigilance in GP practices.