Advanced Search
eLetter submission guidelines
More information about text formats
The editorial by Campbell et al. reports alarmingly high associations of DVT and PE with superficial vein thrombosis.1 In one of the two reviews they cite, the figures were 18.1% and 6.9% respectively.2 However, these figures are questionable. Neither review assessed the quality of the research studies on which the estimates were based. The later review explicitly stated “Formal quality score adjudication was not used, as previous investigations failed to demonstrate its usefulness” citing Juni et al.3 Yet Juni et al were not recommending abandonment of quality assessment but rather reject , numerical summary scores particularly relating to trials. Therefore, these estimates may be based on poor quality evidence and we should be cautious before accepting them.
References
1. Campbell B, Carradice V, Carradice D. Superficial vein thrombosis (thrombophlebitis): far from benign. Br J Gen Pract 2026;76:196.
2. Di Minno MN, Ambrosino P, Ambrosini F, Tremoli E, Di Minno G, Dentali F. Prevalence of deep vein thrombosis and pulmonary embolism in patients with superficial vein thrombosis: a systematic review and meta‐analysis. Journal of Thrombosis and Haemostasis 2016; 14(5):964-72
3. Jüni P, Witschi A, Bloch R, Egger M. The hazards of scoring the quality of clinical trials for meta-analysis. J...
3. Jüni P, Witschi A, Bloch R, Egger M. The hazards of scoring the quality of clinical trials for meta-analysis. JAMA 1999; 282(11):1054-60.
Thank you for recommending British Journal of General Practice.
NOTE: We only request your email address so that the person to whom you are recommending the page knows that you wanted them to see it, and that it is not junk mail. We do not capture any email address.
British Journal of General Practice
