Related Experiment Videos
Are patients with multiple sclerosis protected from thrombophlebitis and pulmonary embolism?
J Kaufman1, B O Khatri, P Riendl
1Division of General Internal Medicine and Pulmonary Medicine, Medical College of Wisconsin, Milwaukee.
Chest
|November 1, 1988
Summary
Patients with multiple sclerosis (MS) show a surprisingly low incidence of deep venous thrombophlebitis (DVT) and pulmonary embolism (PE). Further research is needed to understand this reduced risk of blood clots in MS patients.
Area of Science:
- Neurology
- Hematology
- Epidemiology
Background:
- Multiple sclerosis (MS) is a chronic neurological disease.
- Thromboembolic events like DVT and PE are potential complications in various patient populations.
- The incidence of DVT and PE in MS patients is not well-established.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the incidence of deep venous thrombophlebitis (DVT) and pulmonary embolism (PE) in patients diagnosed with multiple sclerosis (MS).
Main Methods:
- Retrospective chart review of 228 MS patients with 1986 hospital admissions over 3.5 years.
- Comparison of DVT/PE incidence in MS patients against a control group of 57,416 non-MS admissions.
- Investigation for prior hospitalizations related to DVT and PE in the MS cohort.
Main Results:
- No cases of DVT or PE were identified among the 228 MS patients.
- The incidence of DVT and PE in the MS cohort was statistically lower than expected when compared to non-MS patients.
- Lower extremity spasticity in MS patients may potentially play a role in preventing clot formation.
Conclusions:
- The incidence of thromboembolic events (DVT and PE) is significantly lower in MS patients than anticipated.
- The findings suggest a potential protective effect, possibly related to MS-related spasticity.
- Further studies are warranted to elucidate the mechanisms behind this reduced risk.