AbstractIntroduction: Diabetes mellitus (DM) has been shown to be associated with increased coagulability, endothelial damage, and decreased fibrinolysis function
[1], which can result in deep vein thrombosis (DVT). The present study was aimed at comparing the clinical characteristics of DVT patients with and without DM.
Methodology: We included 100 diabetic and 100 non-diabetic controls, who were was admitted in the indoor ward of medical and surgical departments and were referred to our department with suspicion of DVT. They underwent examination for DVT detection using ultrasonography machine on B-mode and colour Doppler study.
Results: Of the 100 diabetics and 100 non-diabetics, 21% and 15% had DVT respectively. Most of the thrombi were chronic, complete, proximal and single left sided. Common iliac vein (n = 10/21 vs 2/15; p value <0.05), External iliac vein (n=8/21vs 01/15; p value <0.05), Common femoral vein (n=17/21 vs 06/15 ; p value <0.05), Femoral vein (15/21 vs 05/15) and popliteal vein (n = 18/21 vs 9/15; p value <0.05) were found to be significantly more common among diabetics as compared to non-diabetics. Proportion of patients with involvement Posterior tibial vein, Anterior tibial vein and Peroneal vein were similar between DM and non-DM patients in our study. When assessed for complications from DVT, pain was found to be significantly more common among patients with DM as compared to non-DM, while complaints of edema were similarly distributed among the two patient groups.
Conclusions: Incidence of deep vein thrombosis in diabetic and non-diabetic patients differs, however it is not statistically significant. Accurate anatomic description of thrombus with the help of ultrasonography can help the clinician evaluate the course of thrombosis and optimize treatment.
