The prevalence of venous disease by gender and ethnicity in a balanced sample of four ethnic groups in southern California

Objective: To determine the prevalence of venous disease in a community. Design: Cross-sectional study. Setting: Southern California university. Participants: Current and retired university employees and spouses were ran domly invited within strata based on gender, ethnicity (Caucasian, Hispanic , Black, Asian) and age. These analyses used a random subsample of 75 parti cipants of each gender and ethnicity. Main outcome measures: Cosmetic and functional venous disease determined by standardised examination including ultrasound and visual inspection. Results: Telangiectases were present in 83% of women and 51% of men. Rates increased with age and were highest in Caucasians and lowest in Blacks. Cor responding rates for varicose veins were 33% and 17% with no ethnic differe nces. Superficial functional disease was found in 26% of women and 15% of m en, without ethnic variation. Deep disease was present in 11% without gende r or ethnic effects. Conclusions: Telangiectases varied by gender, ethnicity, and age. Varicose veins varied by gender. All conditions except deep disease were more common in women.