Sex‐related differences in D‐dimer levels for venous thromboembolism screening

Background D-dimer is generally considered positive above 0.5 mg/L irrespective of sex. However, women have been shown to be more likely a after controlling for other factors. Thus, differences may exist between males and females using as marker venous thromboembolic (VTE) disease. We hypothesized that the accuracy tests enhanced by appropriate cutoff values reflect sex-related in levels. Methods This research secondary analysis multicenter, international, prospective, observational study adult (18+ years) patients suspected VTE, with low-to-intermediate pretest probability based on Wells criteria ≤ 6 pulmonary embolism (PE) 2 deep vein thrombosis (DVT). VTE diagnoses were computed tomography, ventilation perfusion scanning, or ultrasound. levels tested statistical difference across groups stratified sex diagnosis. Multivariable regression was used investigate predictor Sex-specific optimal thresholds PE DVT calculated from receiver operating characteristic analyses. A Youden threshold (D-dimer level coinciding maximum sensitivity plus specificity) corresponding 95% calculated. Statistical cutoffs via confidence intervals 2,000 bootstrapped samples. Results included 3,586 subjects analysis, whom 61% female. Race demographics 63% White, 27% Black/African American, 6% Hispanic. In cohort, diagnosed PE, while 11% DVT. significantly higher than PE-positive group DVT-negative group, but had lower PE-negative group. Regression models showed male significant diagnosis, The 0.97 (95% CI = 0.64 1.79) 1.45 1.36 1.95) males, respectively; this 0.20 0.89) 0.55 0.29 1.61). For DVT, 0.98 0.84 1.56) 1.25 0.65 3.33) 0.33 0.2 0.61) 0.32 0.18 0.7), respectively. Conclusion Differences are diagnosis specific; however, there no excluding sexes.