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ABSTRACT: Objective
Clinical prediction rules (CPRs) followed by D-dimer testing were shown to safely rule out venous thromboembolism (VTE) in about half of all suspected patients in controlled and experienced study settings. Yet, its real-life impact in primary care is unknown. The aim of this study was to determine the real-life impact of CPRs for suspected VTE in primary care.Design
Cross-sectional cohort study.Setting
Primary care in the Netherlands.Participants
Patients with suspected deep venous thrombosis (n=993) and suspected pulmonary embolism (n=484).Interventions
General practitioners received an educational instruction on how to use CPRs in suspected VTE. We did not rectify incorrect application of the CPR in order to mimic daily clinical care.Main outcome measures
Primary outcomes were the diagnostic failure rate, defined as the 3-month incidence of VTE in the non-referred group, and the efficiency, defined as the proportion of non-referred patients in the total study population. Secondary outcomes were determinants for and consequences of incorrect application of the CPRs.Results
In 267 of the included 1477 patients, VTE was confirmed. When CPRs were correctly applied, the failure rate was 1.51% (95% CI 0.77 to 2.86), and the efficiency was 58.1% (95% CI 55.2 to 61.0). However, the CPRs were incorrectly applied in 339 patients, which resulted in an increased failure rate of 3.31% (95% CI 1.07 to 8.76) and a decreased efficiency of 35.7% (95% CI 30.6 to 41.1). The presence of concurrent heart failure increased the likelihood of incorrect application (adjusted OR 3.26; 95% CI 1.47 to 7.21).Conclusions
Correct application of CPRs for VTE in primary care is associated with an acceptable low failure rate at a high efficiency. Importantly, in nearly a quarter of patients, the CPRs were incorrectly applied that resulted in a higher failure rate and a considerably lower efficiency.
SUBMITTER: van Maanen R
PROVIDER: S-EPMC7772307 | biostudies-literature | 2020 Dec
REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature
van Maanen Rosanne R Kingma Annelieke E C AEC Oudega Ruud R Rutten Frans H FH Moons Karel K Geersing Geert-Jan GJ
BMJ open 20201228 12
<h4>Objective</h4>Clinical prediction rules (CPRs) followed by D-dimer testing were shown to safely rule out venous thromboembolism (VTE) in about half of all suspected patients in controlled and experienced study settings. Yet, its real-life impact in primary care is unknown. The aim of this study was to determine the real-life impact of CPRs for suspected VTE in primary care.<h4>Design</h4>Cross-sectional cohort study.<h4>Setting</h4>Primary care in the Netherlands.<h4>Participants</h4>Patient ...[more]