Study: Adjusting Caprini score may improve perioperative VTE risk prediction for Blacks, Latinos

Editor's Note

A study presented at the ASH Annual Meeting 2024 found that the current Caprini score, a widely used model for assessing perioperative venous thromboembolism (VTE) risk, underestimates risk in Black patients while overestimating it in Latino patients. Hematology Advisor reported the news January 6.

According to the article, researchers analyzed retrospective data from 32,682 surgical admissions between 2010 and 2024 at a single institution, examining the accuracy of the Caprini score across racial and ethnic groups. The cohort comprised 46.7% Black, 25.3% non-Latino White, 25.2% Latino, and 2.7% other patients, with an overall VTE incidence of 4.4%. Black patients experienced a higher likelihood of perioperative VTE (odds ratio [OR], 1.12; P = .03), while Latino patients had a lower likelihood (OR, 0.75; P < .0001).

To address these disparities, researchers proposed adding one point for Black patients and subtracting two points for Latino patients. This adjustment corrected the score's predictive accuracy, ensuring equitable VTE prophylaxis recommendations, particularly increasing prophylaxis for Black patients by 8.7% and decreasing it for Latino patients by 34.2%.

The study also identified social factors such as violent crime rates and deep poverty as influencing VTE incidence. Researchers concluded that modifying the Caprini score for race and ethnicity could enhance patient outcomes.