Oral contraceptives intake may be inversely correlated with varicose veins and chronic venous insufficiency

Abstract

SummaryAim: Determination of lifestyle and sex related risk factors that contribute to higher prevalence of varicose veins (VV) and chronic venous insufficiency (CVI) in women and establishment of a possible link between reported exposure to oral contraceptives (OC) and prevalence of VV and CVI. Methods: The Warsaw Brodno Venous Population Survey was a cross-sectional study, conducted on a group of 2530 women. On the basis of a targeted questionnaire, medical records and clinical investigation, sex, and lifestyle related risk factors were identified. Results: In women the prevalence of VV was 15.9% and of CVI (C1-C6) 40.15%. Open ulceration and healed ulceration were diagnosed in 0.51% and 0.75%, respectively. Analysis of lifestyle and job related risk factors for VV showed OR = 0.52 for sitting and OR = 1.56 for vertical lifestyle, and for CVI for office workers OR = 0.53 versus physical workers OR = 1.88. Women taking ever oral contraceptives and those who took them for more than 5 years had a decreased risk of CVI: OR = 0.44 and OR = 0.36 respectively. For VV risk OC intake demonstrated OR = 0.30 and OR = 0.27, respectively. Conclusions: Oral contraception may be inversely correlated with the prevalence of varicose veins and chronic venous insufficiency, although the reasons for this finding require further elucidation. We have confirmed that vertical life style and physical work, pregnancy, family history of varicose veins increase the risk of VV and CVI.