Diagnostic Performance of Immature Platelet Fraction in Patients with Suspected Deep Vein Thrombosis

Background/Objectives: Deep Vein Thrombosis (DVT) remains a major cause of morbidity and mortality. Current diagnostic approaches rely on the Wells score and D-dimer, but both have limitations. Immature Platelet Fraction (IPF) has emerged as a potential biomarker reflecting platelet activation and thrombosis activity. The aim of this study was to compare the diagnostic performance of IPF, the Wells score, and D-dimer for the diagnosis of DVT confirmed by Doppler ultrasonography. Methods: This retrospective diagnostic accuracy study included 53 patients with suspected DVT treated at Dr. Wahidin Sudirohusodo Hospital, Makassar, Indonesia. Patients underwent clinical assessment using the Wells score, laboratory examination of D-dimer and IPF, and Doppler ultrasonography as the reference standard. Associations were analyzed using Chi-square and multivariate logistic regression. Diagnostic performance was evaluated using ROC curve analysis. Results: DVT was confirmed in 32 patients (60.4%). A high Wells score was associated with DVT (OR 4.762; p = 0.009), as was elevated D-dimer (OR 6.364; p = 0.005). Elevated IPF demonstrated a significant association with DVT (OR 14.000; p < 0.001). In multivariate analysis, IPF remained significantly associated with DVT (OR 11.819; p = 0.007). ROC analysis demonstrated that IPF had the highest diagnostic accuracy among individual variables (AUC 0.832), followed by D-dimer (AUC 0.753) and Wells score (AUC 0.695). Combination analysis improved diagnostic performance (AUC 0.845). Conclusions: IPF demonstrated promising diagnostic performance in patients with suspected DVT. Nevertheless, these findings should be considered preliminary and require confirmation in larger prospective studies before clinical implementation can be considered.