Comorbid arterial hypertension and chronic venous diseases in men: the impact on work efficiency and quality of life

Abstract

Objective. To study the quality of life and workability in men with arterial hypertension (HTN) and chronic venous disease (CVenD) of the lower limbs. Design and methods . We examined 60 men with HTN (systolic blood pressure 148 (144–155) mmHg, diastolic blood pressure 101 (92–108) mmHg) aged 30–50 years old. We compared the frequency of decreased work efficiency (CEAP scale) and quality of life (questionnaire CIVIQ-2) in 42 men with CVenD and 18 men without CVenD. Symptoms of CVenD were diagnosed by examination and palpation of the lower limbs according to the CEAP criteria. Results. HTN patients with CVenD show lower quality of life compared to men with HTN without CVenD (χ 2 = 50,6; p = 0,0001). The quality of life is reduced due to the leg pain, which cause disturbances both during the daytime and at night during sleep. Pain is the leading factor that causes movement difficulties in the morning in men with HTN and CVenD (p = 0,034). The work efficiency is more frequently decreased in men with HTN and CVenD (71 %) compared to the control group (0 %; p = 0,001). Conclusions. The co-existence of HTN and CVenD in men 30–50 years is associated with the reduction of the quality of life and the work efficiency. The leading causes of the decline are leg pain and difficulty in moving in the morning.