A study of epidemiological factors and clinical profile of primary varicose veins

Abstract

Introduction: Varicose veins cause a great deal of morbidity in our population today. They are part of the penalty we pay for the adoption of the erect posture. They affect 10–20% of population in the Western world but in India, it is 5%. Varicose veins do not threaten life and are seldom disabling, but they cause a considerable demand on medical care. They are the cause of morbidity and loss of precious work hours and a significant financial burden on the health-care system. Aims and Objective: To study the epidemiological factors with respect to age, sex, and occupation and clinical profile as per Clinical, Etiologic, Anatomical, Pathophysiological classification of varicose veins. Materials and Methods: A total of sixty cases of were examined at a teaching Medical College, Hospital and Research Centre during the period from July 2013 to September 2015. Examination of patients was carried out according to the pro forma. All patients underwent detailed clinical examination followed by color Doppler ultrasound. Results: In our study, 70% patients were males and 30% patients were females. Maximum patients were in age group of 45–54 years. Twenty were in CEAP C2, 15 cases in CEAP C3 and 15 cases in CEAP C4 and 10 cases in C5. Sixty percent patients had involvement of great saphenous vein (GSV), 17% patients had short saphenous vein (SSV) while 23% patients had involvement of both GSV and SSV. Conclusion: Not only prolonged standing but also sitting posture can cause varicose veins. Obesity and increasing age are other risk factors. Classifying the varicose veins has an impact on the course of the disease and preventing its complications. Color Doppler is superior to clinical examination in the evaluation of superficial and perforator veins incompetence.

Keywords

• Epidemiology
• primary varicose veins
• varicose veins