Understanding the Wells Score for DVT: Its Purpose, Criteria, and Interpretation
Discover how the Wells score helps assess your risk of deep vein thrombosis (DVT). Explore the criteria used and what various score ranges signify for your health.
What exactly is the Wells score?
The Wells score is a clinical tool designed to estimate your probability of developing deep vein thrombosis (DVT), a condition where blood clots form in deep veins, typically in the legs. This score is determined by evaluating several medical factors and symptoms. By calculating your Wells score, healthcare providers can gauge the likelihood of DVT, guiding decisions about whether further diagnostic procedures, such as CT scans or ultrasounds, are necessary.
How is the Wells score determined?
Your physician assesses specific symptoms and risk factors, each assigned a particular point value. After a thorough examination, these points are summed to produce your overall Wells score.
It's worth noting that some clinicians may use customized versions of the Wells score, incorporating slightly different criteria based on clinical judgment.
Wells score components for DVT assessment
| Symptom or Risk Factor | Points |
|---|---|
| Active cancer or cancer treated within the past six months | 1 |
| Paralysis of a leg | 1 |
| Recent immobilization (bed rest >3 days) or major surgery within the last four weeks | 1 |
| Tenderness along a deep vein | 1 |
| Swelling of the entire leg | 1 |
| Calf swelling exceeding 3 cm compared to the opposite leg | 1 |
| Pitting edema localized to one leg | 1 |
| Prominent superficial veins (excluding varicose veins) | 1 |
| History of previous DVT | 1 |
| Alternative diagnosis more likely than DVT | -2 |
What do your Wells score results indicate?
Medical professionals interpret the Wells score using either a two-level or three-level risk model. A higher score suggests an increased risk of DVT, prompting further diagnostic testing such as venography or ultrasound.
Two-level risk classification
| Score | Risk Assessment |
|---|---|
| 2 or more | Probable DVT |
| 1 or less | Unlikely DVT |
Three-level risk classification
| Score | Risk Level |
|---|---|
| 3 or higher | High risk for DVT |
| 1 to 2 | Moderate risk for DVT |
| 0 or below | Low risk for DVT |
Key takeaways
The Wells score is a valuable method for estimating your chance of having deep vein thrombosis. If your score points to a higher risk, your healthcare provider may recommend additional tests to confirm the presence of blood clots. Conversely, a low-risk score often means careful observation without immediate invasive testing is appropriate.
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