Risk factors for deep venous thrombosis in tetraparesic mentally retarded patients

Objectives: The risk factors and incidence of deep venous thrombosis were s tudied in a population of para- and tetraparesic patients institutionalized for long durations. Methods: Retrospectively, the antecedents and risk factors of deep venous t hrombosis were collected for each patient. Results: Data were available for 57 patients. The mean duration of hospital ization was 18 years. None of the patients presented thromboembolic patholo gy. Ninety-three per cent of the patients were spastic tetraparesic, 7% wer e spastic paraparesic. Sixty per cent of the patients presented added risk factors, mostly orthopaedic surgery, bone fractures and hormonal treatments . Conclusion: Spasticity probably plays a role in preventing deep venous thro mbosis in paralysed patients, but it does not fully explain the absence of deep venous thrombosis in this population.