Health-related quality of life after deep vein thrombosis

Background: Health-related quality of life (HRQoL) is known to be impaired in patients who develop post-thrombotic syndrome (PTS) following deep vein thrombosis (DVT). However, there is limited knowledge of the long-term HRQoL after DVT compared to controls without DVT. The objectives of this study were to evaluate long-term HRQoL following DVT and to compare that with age and sex matched control group and to population norms as well as to investigate possible predictors for reduced HRQoL. Methods: HRQoL was evaluated in 254 patients with confirmed DVT using the generic EQ-5D and the diseases specific VEINES-QOL/Sym questionnaire, whereas PTS was assessed by the Villalta scale. Patients were asked to give the EQ-5D questionnaire to two friends of same age- (+/- 5 years) and sex (buddy controls). Results: Patients scored significantly lower on all dimensions of EQ-5D compared to controls. EQ-5D index value was lower in patients compared with buddy controls; mean 0.79 (SD 0.17; IQR 0.72-1.00) versus 0.9 (SD 0.12; IQR 0.80-1.00), p < 0.001. EQ-5D index value was also significantly lower than age-and sex-adjusted population norms (p < 0.001). PTS and obesity (BMI > 30/m(2)) were significantly associated with impaired HRQoL assessed by EQ-5D index value (odds ratio [OR] 11.0:95% confidence interval [CI] 4.6-29.7; and 2.3:95% CI 1.1-4.8, respectively) and VEINES-QOL (OR 28.2:95% CI 10.6-75.0; and OR 4.1:95% CI 1.7-9.7, respectively). Conclusion: Long-term HRQoL was significantly impaired in DVT patients compared with buddy controls and population norms. PTS and obesity were independently associated with impaired HRQoL.