Development of a risk assessment scale for perinatal venous thromboembolism in Chinese women using a Delphi-AHP approach

BACKGROUND: The treatment and prevention of perinatal venous thromboembolism (VTE) are challenging because of the potential for both fetal and maternal complications. METHODS: This study developed a rapid assessment scale for VTE and evaluate its validity based on Delphi-AHP (Analytic Hierarchy Process) method in China. The research was conducted by literature retrieval and two rounds of Delphi expert consultation. The item pools of the scale were developed and a questionnaire was designed according to literature retrieval published between 2010 and 2020. A survey was conducted among experts from 25 level A hospitals in China, and data of experts’ opinions were collected and analyzed by the Delphi method. RESULTS: A perinatal VTE risk assessment scale was formed, including 5 first-level items, 20 s-level items and 40 third-level items. The response rates in the two rounds of expert consultation were 97.4% and 98.0%, and the authoritative coefficients were 0.89 and 0.92. The coefficients of variation ranged from 0.04 to 0.28. CONCLUSIONS: The scale is significantly valid and reliable with a high authority and coordination degree, and it can be used to assess the risk of perinatal VTE and initiate appropriate thrombophylactic interventions in China.