PT  - JOURNAL ARTICLE
AU  - David Walder
AU  - Robert Richards
TI  - Should there be an age adjusted D-dimer cut-off value in diagnosing thromboembolic disease? A retrospective analysis
DP  - 2012 Sep 01
TA  - European Respiratory Journal
PG  - P3890
VI  - 40
IP  - Suppl 56
4099  - http://erj.ersjournals.com/content/40/Suppl_56/P3890.short
4100  - http://erj.ersjournals.com/content/40/Suppl_56/P3890.full
SO  - Eur Respir J2012 Sep 01; 40
AB  - Previous studies using the enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) D-dimer in pulmonary embolism have suggested that the D-dimer cut-off should be adjusted for age. (Douma et al. BMJ 2010; 340 c.1475) Using a retrospective analysis from our DVT clinic we compared latex agglutination assay D-dimer values for patients without DVT in 10 year age brackets (1696 patients). There was a significant D-dimer level rise (compared to under 50 years) with advancing age.View this table:We analysed the data from positive DVTs to look for an age adjusted D-dimer cut-off. (212 patients)By generating receiver operating characteristics (ROC) curves we calculated 95% sensitivity D-dimer cut-off limits for the various age brackets. A clear relationship between age and D-dimer cut-off could not be shown.Our data again showed that D-dimer level rises with advancing age. However, with our assay an age adjusted D-dimer cut-off could not be deduced without reducing sensitivity.