Seasonality of occurrence of deep vein thrombosis of the lower limbs

Abstract

Published data concerning increased incidence of venous thromboembolic disease (VTE) in different seasons of the year are divergent.

In the 12-month period lasting from 1st December 2007 to 30th November 2008, 48 cases of deep vein thrombosis (DVT) of the lower limbs were diagnosed in the population of Bemowo, a district of Warsaw. The analysis of the incidence of DVT of the lower limbs occurrence at particular times of the year was performed. During the winter time, 11 episodes of DVT were diagnosed and, respectively, 16 episodes during the spring, 11 during the summer and 10 episodes of DVT during autumn. Using the Chi-square test, the authors revealed no statistically significant differences in the incidence of DVT of the lower extremities in different seasons.