Impact of the postthrombotic syndrome on quality of life after primary upper extremity deep venous thrombosis

Background: To determine the impact of the postthrombotic syndrome (PTS) on quality of life after primary upper extremity deep venous thrombosis (UEDVT). Patients and methods: Twenty-five patients with a history of primary UEDVT, treated with anticoagulation alone, and twenty healthy controls were retrospectively identified and prospectively assessed for health-related quality of life (SF-36 and VEINES-QOL-questionnaire) and upper extremity functional impairment (DASH-score). Presence of PTS was classified according to the modified Villalta-score. Comparisons between patients and controls and between patients with and without PTS were performed using Fisher's exact test (categorical variables) and Mann-Whitney-U-test (continuous variables). Results: According to the modified Villalta-score, 32 % of the patients suffered from mild to moderate PTS. None of the patients developed severe PTS. Compared to healthy control subjects, patients with a history of primary UEDVT reported on considerably worse health-related quality of life and significantly stronger upper extremity functional impairment. Within the cohort of patients with UEDVT, subjects with PTS had a significantly reduced quality of life and a more severe functional limitation. Conclusions: Quality of life and functional performance are impaired in patients with a history of conservatively treated primary UEDVT. Impairment is most pronounced in patients with mild to moderate PTS occurring in every third patient.