Table 1.
Socio-demographic and clinical characteristics of the study sample at the time of inclusion in the study
| Variable | Study sample (n = 254) | |
|---|---|---|
| N (%) | ||
| Demographics | ||
| Male | 167 (66) | |
| Age, mean (SD) | 60 (13) | |
| Unemployed | 135 (53) | |
| Years since diagnosis, mean (SD) | 5 (2) | |
| Time on anticoagulation (months), median (IQR) | 6 (3–34) | |
| Index DVT in left leg | 132 (52) | |
| Proximal DVTa | 161 (64) | |
| Recurrent DVT | 79 (31) | |
| Still on anticoagulation therapy | 74 (29) | |
| Any use of ECS after DVT | 233 (93) | |
| PTSb | 121 (48) | |
| Comorbidities | ||
| Current smoker or previous smoker | 131 (53) | |
| Current or previous cancer | 20 (8) | |
| Heart failure | 12 (5) | |
| COPD | 13 (5) | |
| Obesity | 76 (30) | |
| Provoking factors | ||
| Orthopedic surgery | 25 (10) | |
| Other extensive surgery | 8 (3) | |
| Trauma which caused immobilization | 46 (18) | |
| Pregnancy or birth | 12 (5) | |
| Hospitalization with immobilization | 3 (1) | |
| Long haul flight | 25 (10) | |
COPD chronic obstructive pulmonary disease, ECS elastic compression stockings, PTS post thrombotic syndrome, Obesity body mass index >30, SD standard deviation
aThe exact location of DVT was missing in 6 patients as these patients were diagnosed at another institution and were referred to Ostfold hospital for follow up
b72 patients (28 %) were diagnosed mild-, 37 (15 %) with moderate-, and 12 (5 %) with severe PTS