Association of age-adjusted D-dimer with deep vein thrombosis risk in patients with spinal cord injury: a cross-sectional study

Article.

To elucidate the association of age-adjusted D-dimer (AAD) with deep vein thrombosis (DVT) risk to lower limbs in patients with spinal cord injury (SCI).

Rehabilitation Medicine Department of the First Affiliated Hospital of China University of Science and Technology.

Retrospective analysis of 250 patients with SCI in the rehabilitation department from August 2018 to December 2021. Quartiles divided the D-dimer level into four groups to analyze the association between AAD level and DVT risk.

Age was identified as a covariate of D-dimer and DVT risk. For non-adjusted model, when D-dimer increased by 1 mg/L, DVT risk increased 0.23-fold (P < 0.05); for minimally-adjusted model (adjusted for age), the risk increased 0.22-fold (P < 0.05); and for fully-adjusted model (adjusted for age, sex, pulmonary infection, degree, grades, and career), it increased 0.19-fold (P < 0.05). AAD had a curvilinear association with DVT risk, and the fold point was 1.9 mg/L (P < 0.05). When serum AAD level was <1.9 mg/L (K < 1.9), the estimated change in DVT risk was 3.34 (P < 0.05), and when serum AAD level was >1.9 mg/L (K > 1.9), the estimated change was 1.14 (P < 0.05). Urinary tract infection (UTI) and fibrinogen(tertile) had a interaction association with D-dimer level and DVT risk (P interaction < 0.05).

Patients with SCI who receive rehabilitation treatment with AAD level >1.9 mg/L need to be paid close attention to, especially those with UTI and high levels of fibrinogen.