Objective To analyze the risk factors of venous thromboembolism (VTE) in elderly patients with diffuse large B-cell lymphoma (DLBCL). Methods A total of 142 elderly DLBCL patients who were treated in our hospital from Jun. 2003 to Oct. 2013 were included in the present study. The relationship of VTE with gender, body mass index (BMI), physical score (ECOG-PS), tumor stage, lactate dehydrogenase level, hypertension, diabetes, hemoglobin level, white blood cell count, and platelet count were analyzed. The efficacy of current treatment of thrombosis was also analyzed. Results Univariate analysis showed that PS score≥2 (P=0.027), IPI points=3-4 (P=0.051), and non-CR after 3-4 cycles of chemotherapy (P=0.016) were risk factors for thrombosis in elderly DLBCL patients; multivariate analysis displayed that PS score≥2 and non-CR after 3-4 cycles of chemotherapy were independent risk factors for thrombosis (P<0.05). Conclusion PS score ≥2 and non-CR after 3-4 cycles of chemotherapy are the independent risk factors for thrombosis in elderly DLBCL patients.