Vitamin Levels in Patients with Superficial Vein Thrombosis

Abstract

Superficial vein thrombosis (SVT) is a disease of the superficial veins that most commonly occurs in the superficial veins of the lower extremities and is often associated with varicose veins. Rarely, it can also occur in the neck, chest, or upper extremity veins. Our aim is to evaluate the vitamin D level and nutritional habits of patients diagnosed with SVT during the pandemic period.

Thirty-two of the patients diagnosed with superficial vein thrombosis during the pandemic period were included in the study. In addition to routine examinations and vascular Doppler ultrasonographic examinations, vitamin D, vitamin B12, magnesium and folate levels were also measured.

Ten of the patients were male and 22 were female, with ages ranging from 24 to 80 years, with a mean age of 50.6±14.5 years. SVT was localized in the right lower extremity in 17 patients, in the left lower extremity in 14 patients, and in the neck (external jugular vein) in one patient. Varicose vein surgery was performed in 10 of the patients. Vitamin D levels of the patients ranged from 3.72 ng/ml to 33.2 ng/ml, and the mean vitamin D level was 12.1±7.6 ng/ml. Only one patient had normal vitamin D levels. Six patients had vitamin D insufficiency and 25 patients had vitamin D deficiency. In 15 of the patients with vitamin D deficiency, the deficiency was severe. The mean vitamin D level was 14.8±7.3 ng/mL in male patients and 12.1±8.0 ng/mL in female patients, and the difference was statistically significant (p<0.05).

In conclusion, SVT should not be perceived as a benign condition that can only be resolved with local symptomatic treatment. Especially if the SVT developing in varicose veins is close to the saphenofemoral or saphenopopliteal junction, it may cause deep vein thrombosis. Therefore, as in our series, especially those close to the saphenofemoral or saphenopopliteal junction should be treated surgically. Anticoagulant therapy may be sufficient in those not close to these junctions but longer than 5 cm. However, it is important to follow up these patients closely and avoid vitamin D deficiency.