Advanced age as a key risk factor for deep vein thrombosis in patients with lower limb cellulitis: A 10-year retrospective study

Summary: Abstract Body: Lower limb cellulitis, a common bacterial infection, can lead to complications such as deep vein thrombosis (DVT). While inflammation and immobility may contribute to thrombosis, specific risk factors in cellulitis patients remain unclear, particularly in Asian populations. We conducted a retrospective study of 158 cellulitis patients treated at our institution between 2013 and 2023. Among these, 36 patients underwent Doppler ultrasound for DVT assessment due to elevated D-dimer levels (≥2.5 µg/mL). Clinical data, including age, BMI, CRP levels, D-dimer, and medical history, were analyzed using univariate and multivariate logistic regression models to identify risk factors for DVT development. Of the 36 patients who underwent ultrasound, 7 (19.4%) were diagnosed with DVT. Univariate analysis revealed that patients aged 70 years or older had a significantly higher odds ratio for DVT (OR: 11.4, 95% CI: 1.2–108.3, p = 0.034). Multivariate analysis confirmed advanced age as an independent risk factor, with an adjusted odds ratio of 13.5 (95% CI: 1.1–165.3, p = 0.049). Other clinical parameters, including CRP levels (mean: 10.5 mg/L in DVT patients vs. 13.1 mg/L in non-DVT patients, p = 0.542), BMI (mean: 25.9 kg/m2 vs. 30.8 kg/m2, p = 0.227), diabetes (p = 0.554), malignancy (p = 0.230), and corticosteroid use (p > 0.999), showed no significant associations with thrombosis. Thrombotic events occurred in 43% of cases in the limb affected by cellulitis and in 57% in the contralateral limb. Advanced age (≥70 years) is an independent risk factor for DVT in cellulitis patients, emphasizing the importance of proactive monitoring and prevention strategies, particularly in elderly populations. This study highlights the need for age-specific considerations in cellulitis management and provides a basis for further research into the mechanisms linking cellulitis and thrombosis. Romane Teshima¹, Natsuko Saito-Sasaki¹, Yu Sawada¹ 1. Dermatology, Sangyo Ika Daigaku, Kitakyushu, Fukuoka Prefecture, Japan. Clinical Research: Epidemiology and Observational Research