Work conditions as risk factors for varicose veins of the lower extremities in certain professions of the working population of Rijeka

This research aims to establish the effect of working conditions on the app earance of varicose veins. The epidemiological study was carried out on 1,3 24 examinees, 530 males and 794 females, employed in 5 highly represented g roups of professional activities in Rijeka (catering, trade, light industry , heavy industry and finances). The data were collected by survey and clini cal examination. Varicose veins were more prevalent in the trade than in th e office workers (odds ratio (OR) = 2.08; 95% confidence interval (CI) = 1. 31-3.31), and more prevalent in catering industries than in the office work ers (OR = 1.56; 95% CI = 1.001-2.43). chi(2)-testing suggested that standin g in the workplace (OR = 1.35; 95% CI = 0.95 - 1.92), weight handling while working (OR = 1.29; 95% CI = 1.01 - 1.64) and working indoors (OR = 1.61; 95% CI = 1.02 - 2.53) were risk factors for varicose veins. By multiple log istic regression, the following risk factors were isolated in the total pop ulation: female sex (OR = 1.92; 95% CI = 1.37 - 2.67), workplace (OR = 0.89 ; 95% CI = 0.78 - 0.99), age (OR = 1.05; 95% CI = 1.03 - 1.07), body mass i ndex (OR = 1.04; 95% CI = 1.01 - 1.07) and family history of the disease (O R = 1.99; 95% CI = 1.55 - 2.57).