Study on prevalence, demographic and clinical manifestations of lower limb vericose veins

Abstract

Background: Varicose veins are a common condition that the current paper elaborates the features of the condition in a local Indian population. Aim & Objective: The main aim of the present study to evaluate the prevalence, demographics and clinical manifestations of lower limb varicose veins patients. Methodology: We include 80 patients over a two year period all admitted patients to a Princess Esra Hospital, Shahali Banda, Hyderabad and Owasi Hospital and Research Centre, Kanchan Bagh, Hyderabad from period June 2017-June 2019. Results: In the present study, most of the patients (93.4%) were in the 20-50 years age group. Out of 80 patients, 70 patients were studied in their occupation and continuously involved in working and prolonged standing showed muscular effect. We found that male (91.25%) patients were dominant than the female. The right limb was involved in 18 cases and the left limb in 61 cases. The most common symptom was pain with prominent veins which occurred alone or in combination with oedema, eczema, pigmentation or ulceration. Conclusion: This study reveals that the disease is more prevalent during the active adult life in their 3rd and 4th decades and males were more affected. The occupations needing prolonged standing and use of violent muscular efforts is found to be a contributing or precipitating factor for varicose veins. The commonest symptoms in the study were prominent swellings in the lower limb and pain. Definite relationship exists between occupation involving prolonged standing and primary varicose veins. The involvement of long saphenous and communicating system is commonest followed by long saphenous involvement alone. Introduction Varicose veins are defined as dilated, tortuous, subcutaneous veins ≥3 mm in diameter measured in the upright position with demonstrable reflux [1]. Varicose veins do not threaten life and are seldom disabling, but it causes a considerable demand on medical care [2]. It is the cause of morbidity and loss of precious work hours and a significant financial burden on the health-care system. It is a penalty we pay for adoption of the erect posture. It affects 10-20% of population in the Western world but in India, it is 5% [3]. There are several factors responsible for the development of varicose veins such as pregnancy, prolonged standing, obesity, old age, chronic rise in intra-abdominal pressure, and athletics. Heredity also plays an important role [4]. The prevalence has been variously reported from as little as 2% to over 20% in population studies. This enormous variation results from the different populations studied, different definitions applied and the different assessment of examination techniques and Western studies have shown that 20% population suffers from varicose vein and 1% has skin changes proceeding to venous ulceration [5]. The prevalence of webs or small reticular varicosities was even higher at over 80% for both males and females. Although it was previously believed that varicose veins are more common in women, few other population studies confirm that varicose veins are at least as common in men [6]. The prevalence of varicose veins rise with age in virtually all published studies the prevalence trunk varicosities in the EVS rose from 11.5% in the 18-24 year old group to55.7% in those aged 55-64. Although there is considerable anecdotal evidence to suggest that varicose veins are less common in developing countries like India the absence of adequate