Gaertner S et al. – This single–center, retrospective study (2012–2015) assessed the incidence and risk factors for venous thromboembolism (VTE) among 12,320 hospitalized patients in a psychiatric setting. The incidence of VTE in a psychiatric setting is high, with increased risk during an acute decompensation of a chronic psychiatric pathology.

Methods

• Hospitalized patients experiencing episodes of VTE were identified. The clinical, somatic, psychiatric, and therapeutic characteristics in each patient were compared with a control population who did not suffer from VTE.

Results

• The incidence of VTE was 47.8 per 1000 patient–years (3.32 cases per 1000 patients), with 41 patients having an episode of VTE.
• The risk of VTE did not increase with restriction of mobility, somatic clinical profile, psychiatric diagnosis, or psychotropic treatment.
• Event onset occurred at ≤48 hours and within the first week of hospitalization in 31.7% and 56.1% of patients, respectively, and was significantly associated with acute decompensation of a chronic psychiatric pathology (P = .003).