EPIDEMIOLOGY AND COSTS OF VENOUS DISEASES IN CENTRAL ITALY - THE SAN-VALENTINO VENOUS DISEASE PROJECT

The Prevalence of Early Atherosclerosis study aims to define the preva lence of subclinical atherosclerosis in a typical population of centra l Italy. A concomitant study evaluates the prevalence of venous diseas es. The prevalence of superficial and deep venous disease, the prevale nce of venous thrombosis and pulmonary embolism, and the prevalence of the most common venous malformations were studied through use of medi cal history, a questionnaire, and noninvasive investigations. The cost s of venous problems were also considered. Of some 2000 inhabitants, 7 46 (379 women; mean age 46.3 +/- 7 years; range eight to nienty-four) have been screened. No significant difference in trend increase of the relationship age/percent of subjects with venous problems was observe d for superficial venous disease. The increase in the proportion of su bjects with lipodermatosclerosis and venous ulcerations appeared to be correlated with age (r = 0.543). Evidence accepted for pulmonary embo lisms was pulmonary angiogram or evidence on ventilation+perfusion lun g scans. According to these criteria the number of documented deep vei n thromboses and pulmonary embolisms was very limited with a larger nu mber of suspected disease entities. There was no significant correlati on between age and pulmonary embolism or deep venous thrombosis distri bution. The number of venous and/or arteriovenous malformations was co mparable along the age axis in the different age groups. Only a limite d number of these malformations (in less that 1% of subjects) had caus ed a clinical problem. The treatments used for venous problems have be en reported in a questionnaire and subdivided into occasional treatmen ts and chronic treatments (when used for periods longer than twelve mo nths). The percent of subjects using different treatment was also stud ied. Treatments were divided in: (1) over-the-counter products (or any treatment not requiring prescription); (2) specialized drug (for veno us diseases); (3) compression; (4) surgery (any type of surgical treat ment); (5) sclerotherapy; (6) combined treatments (ie, sclerotherapy a nd surgery); (7) alternative treatments (herbal. products etc). Finall y, the average costs per year for treatment, for investigations, and t he costs due to lost working days were recorded. In conclusion some 12 % of the evaluated population sample (male population 46%) had or had been affected in the past by a venous problem and 50% of them had rece ived some type of treatment.