Introduction: Peripheral intravenous catheter (PIVC)-related thrombophlebitis is a common and significant problem in clinical practice. This study aimed to investigate the incidence of phlebitis and to evaluate some important related factors. Methods: 269 patients admitted to Department of Medicine at IGMC Shimla, Himachal Pradesh were prospectively studied. Variables evaluated were age, gender, site and size of catheter, type of insertion and underlying medical conditions. Phlebitis was defined according to the grading scale (erythema, pain, tenderness, warmth, induration, palpable cord and swelling). Patients already suffering from thrombophlebitis at the time of admission, unconscious patients, patients with pre-existing septicemia, patients who were hemodynamically unstable, and patients who either cannulated in casualty or at periphery were excluded. All the study participants were examined for superficial thrombophlebitis every 24 hours, 48 hours, and at 72 hours. Results: Phlebitis occurred in 53.09 percent of patients. There was no significant relationship between age, catheter bore size, other cannula related factors, hypertension, infections, and phlebitis. Related risk factors were male gender, diabetes mellitus, obesity, hyperlipidemia, smoking, alcohol intake and certain drugs like piperacillin +tazobactam, pantoprazole, mannitol, and D25. Conclusion: Phlebitis should be specifically looked for and actively managed in indoor patients. In patients with diabetes mellitus, obesity and hyperlipidemia, more attention is needed.
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2022: 6.012
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