EPIDEMIOLOGY OF VARICOSE-VEINS

Assessment and treatment of varicose veins comprises a significant par t of the surgical workload. In the UK, National Health Service waiting lists suggest that there is still considerable unmet need. This revie w analyses all published data on the epidemiology of varicose veins, p aying particular regard to the differing epidemiological terminology, populations sampled, assessment methods and varicose vein definitions, which account for much of the variation in literature reports. Half o f the adult population have minor stigmata of venous disease (women 50 -55 per cent; men 40-50 per cent) but fewer than half of these will ha ve visible varicose veins (women 20-25 per cent; men 10-15 per cent). The data suggest that female sex, increased age, pregnancy, geographic al site and race are risk factors for varicose veins; there is no hard evidence that family history or occupation are factors. Obesity does not appear to carry any excess risk. Accurate prevalence data allow pr ovision of appropriate resources or at least aid rational debate if de mand is greater than the resources available.