Quality of life in patients with idiopathic subclavian vein thrombosis.

Introduction: Idiopathic subclavian vein thrombosis (SVT) is a rare disease but these otherwise healthy patients often suffer from prolonged clinical manifestations. The aim of this retrospective study was to assess the range and severity of thrombosis-related disability of the upper extremity in patients after an episode of documented idiopathic SVT in the long-term follow-up.

Materials And Methods: The quality of life (QoL) of 37 patients with documented idiopathic SVT was assessed by two standardized questionnaires (DASH and SF 36). The DASH and SF-36 questionnaire each use a 100 point scale. 0 stands for uncompromised functioning, 100 for maximum limitation in the DASH, while in the SF-36 0 marks the lowest rating of QoL and 100 indicates the best imaginable quality of life.

Results: Mean follow-up time was 120+/-80.1 months (range: 14 to 286 months). The mean DASH score was 10.7+/-12 and the mean scores for the SF-36 dimensions Physical Component Summary (PCS) and Mental Component System (MCS) were 52+/-9.3 and 46.3+/-9.5, respectively.

Conclusions: Patients suffering from idiopathic SVT report good overall QoL judged by the mean DASH and satisfactory QoL by the SF-36 score in the long-term follow-up. These patients deal well with their physical limitations.