Fiber intake, constipation, and risk of varicose veins in the general population: Edinburgh Vein Study

The purpose of the present study was to determine the relationship between fiber intake, constipation, and clinical venous disease in the general popu lation The Edinburgh Vein Study was comprised of 1566 men and women aged 18 64 years who were selected at random from the age-sex registers of 12 gener al practices. Fiber intake, intestinal transit time, defecation frequency a nd the prevalence of straining at stool were all found to be significantly different between the sexes. Men who reported that they strained to start p assing a motion showed a higher prevalence of mild and severe trunk varices compared to men who did not strain. After adjustment for social class, BMI and mobility at work, this group of men showed a significantly elevated ri sk of having severe trunk varices (OR 2.76, 95% CI 1.16, 6.58). In contrast , no consistent relationships were seen among women. Overall, within this W estern general population, an association between dietary fiber, constipati on and the presence or severity of varicose veins was not supported. (C) 20 01 Elsevier Science. All rights reserved.