The incidence of deep venous thrombosis in Parkinson's disease

Venous thromboembolism is one of the causes of sudden death in Parkinson's Disease (PD). Few studies have investigated the correlation between PD and deep venous thrombosis (DVT). This study aimed to investigate the frequency of DVT in PD patients prospectively.

Demographic characteristics of 37 PD patients without known risk factors for DVT, disease duration, Hoehn-Yahr (H - Y) stage, oxygen saturation (SpO2) and heart rate values with pulse oximetry, use of assistive devices, waist and knee circumference measurements, and modified Medical Research Council (mMRC) dyspnea score was recorded. Both legs were evaluated for thrombus by Doppler venous ultrasound (US).

With the H-Y stage of the disease duration, a positive correlation was determined between the H-Y stage and mMRC. Disease duration was negatively correlated with BMI and positively correlated with the need for assistance. Assistive device use was positively associated with age and mMRC. DVT was detected in only one patient. When our patients' files were reviewed after 1.5 years, one patient was hospitalized with the diagnosis of submassive pulmonary embolism.

Attention should be paid to the development of DVT in elderly patients with advanced stages of PD, progression in the H-Y stage, use of assistive devices, and progression in dyspnea scoring. There is also a need for studies on the benefit of DVT prophylaxis in PD patients with a high risk of venous thromboembolism.