Abstract
After the Niigata Chuetsu earthquake and later in 2004, the incidence of deep vein thrombosis (DVT) in shelters has increased, and various studies have been conducted to investigate its occurrence and risk factors. Soleal vein dilatation is considered as a risk factor for DVT, but the risk factors for soleal vein dilatation are unknown. Here, we present the results of our DVT screening in individuals living in temporary housing after the Great East Japan Earthquake. During successive several days of September 2012 and 2013, we examined the risk factors for soleal vein dilatation in a total of 339 people who had moved to temporary housing in Watari-cho and Yamamoto-cho, Watari-gun, Miyagi Prefecture. After a background interview, each resident underwent ultrasonography in a sitting position using a portable device. Exploration for venous thrombosis of the popliteal vein and its distal veins was performed on both sides, and the maximum soleal vein diameter was measured. Vein dilatation (≥ 9.0 mm) was detected in 41 individuals. The prevalence of cardiac disease was significantly higher in the dilatation-positive group (18 patients, 44%) than in the dilatation-negative group (78 patients, 26%; p < 0.05). In the multiple logistic regression analysis, history of heart disease was an independent risk factor for soleal vein dilatation. Six patients (30%) in the DVT-positive group had soleal vein dilatation; the Prevalence rate of dilatation was significantly higher than that in the DVT-negative group (35 patients, 11%; p < 0.05). Thus, soleal vein dilatation was a significant risk factor for DVT. Collectively, the measurement of soleal vein diameter may be useful for generally evaluating risk status for DVT incidence and possible prevalence of heart disease in individuals living in disaster-affected areas.
