Risk Factor For Venous Disease Research Articles

Race, sex, and socioeconomic disparities affect the clinical stage of patients presenting for treatment of superficial venous disease

ObjectiveSuperficial venous disease has a U.S. prevalence of nearly 30%, with advanced disease contributing to a significant healthcare burden. Although the risk factors for venous disease are well known, the correlation between race, sex, socioeconomic status, and disease severity on presentation is not well established. The area deprivation index (ADI) is a validated metric with respect to regional geography, social determinants of health, and degree of socioeconomic disadvantage. In the present study, we aimed to identify the disparities and the effect that the ADI, in addition to race and sex, has among patients associated with an advanced venous disease presentation. MethodsA retrospective review between 2012 and 2022 was performed at four tertiary U.S. institutions to identify patients who underwent endovenous closure of their saphenous veins. Patient demographics, state ADI, comorbidities, CEAP (clinical, etiologic, anatomic, pathophysiologic) classification, and periprocedural outcomes were included. Pearson's correlation was performed between the CEAP classification and ADI. Poisson regression analysis was performed to identify factors predicting for an increasing CEAP classification at presentation. Variables with P < .05 were deemed significant. ResultsA total of 2346 patients underwent endovenous saphenous vein closure during the study period, of whom 7 were excluded because of a lack of follow-up data. The mean age was 60.4 ± 14.9 years, 65.9% were women, and 55.4% were White. Of the 2339 patients, 73.3% presented with an advanced CEAP class (≥3). The mean state ADI for the entire cohort was 4.9 ± 3.1. The percent change in the CEAP classification is an increase of 2% and 1% for every level increase in the state ADI for unadjusted (incidence rate ratio [IRR] = 1.02; P < .001) and adjusted (IRR = 1.01; P < .001) models, respectively. Black race has a 12% increased risk of a higher CEAP class on presentation compared with White race (IRR = 1.12; P = .005). Female sex had a 16% lower risk of a higher CEAP presentation compared with male sex (IRR = 0.84; P < .01). ConclusionsLow socioeconomic status, Black race, and male sex are predictive of an advanced CEAP classification on initial presentation. These findings highlight the opportunity for improved mechanisms for identification of venous disease and at-risk patients before advanced disease progression in known disadvantaged patient populations.

The Number of Pregnancies and Deliveries and Their Association with Selected Morphological and Hemodynamic Parameters of the Pelvic and Abdominal Venous System.

Background: Although pregnancy has been identified as one of the risk factors for venous disease, the mechanism of this interaction remains unclear. Possibly, pregnancy results in overstrain and vein dilatation, which exceed their durability and persist after pregnancy. The aim of this study was the assessment of the relationship between the number of pregnancies in women with venous disease and the selected parameters of their venous systems. Patients and methods: The retrospective assessment concerned 518 patients subjected to the diagnostics of the venous system in the lower limbs and the abdomen/pelvis using ultrasound scan and magnetic resonance or computed tomography. Results: We found that the occurrence of pelvic venous symptoms increases proportionally to the number of pregnancies and is correlated with ovarian and parauterine vein dilatation/incompetence (e.g., 13.5% of nulliparous women reported pelvic pain, and reflux in left ovarian veins was detected in 21.4% of the patients from that group, whereas in women after two pregnancies, pain and reflux concerned 22.8% and 90.6% of patients, respectively). In the nulliparous group, the development of venous disease resulted from the presence of anatomic abnormalities in abdominal/pelvic veins. Conclusions: Our report proved that the number of pregnancies is correlated with the incidence of pelvic vein insufficiency. Although not specifically addressed in this study, some correlation was found with saphenous disease as well. However, further studies are necessary to provide more evidence about the role of pelvic vein insufficiency in chronic venous disease of the lower limbs.

The efficiency of O-(beta-hydroxyethyl)-rutosides in reducing the incidence of superficial venous insufficiency in patients with calf muscle pump dysfunction.

Objective We aimed to evaluate the efficiency of O-(beta-Hydroxyethyl)-rutosides (Oxerutin) in reducing the incidence of venous system disease among patients with calf muscle pump dysfunction secondary to immobilization due to lower-limb fractures. Methods A total of 60 patients with lower-limb fractures and immobilized in plaster casts were included in this study randomized into control (n = 30; mean: 30.37 ± 6.03 years; 73.3% males; no treatment) and experiment (n = 30; mean: 31.67 ± 4.76 years; 66.6% males; Oxerutin, 500 mg po q12hr) treatment groups. Doppler ultrasound was performed to evaluate the effect of oxerutin on the alterations in the venous circulation. Results Patients in the control group were determined to be more commonly affected from the below-knee immobilization in terms of venous dysfunction in the great saphenous vein in the below-knee region when compared with the patients in the oxerutin treatment group (46.7 vs. 13.3%, respectively; p = 0.011). Incidence of reflux in the small saphenous vein was more common in the control group during the healing period when compared with the experiment group (40.0 vs. 10.0%, respectively; p = 0.017). None of the patients developed venous thrombosis. Conclusions In conclusion, the impairment of the lower extremity muscle pump should be considered as an important risk factor for venous disease, and should be evaluated. O-(beta-Hydroxyethyl)-rutosides during 6-8 week cast immobilization for a lower limb fracture may be an effective prophylactic regimen in reducing the incidence of reflux in the below-knee superficial veins.

Venous disease in women: Epidemiology, manifestations, and treatment

Until the past decade, venous disease was commonly underdiagnosed and undertreated due to lack of interest on the part of providers and to reluctance to undergo procedures on the part of patients. Modern venous interventions, improved diagnostic modalities, and increased awareness through education, training, and screening programs have all raised enthusiasm for venous disease in recent years. This has been crucial to gain control over a disease that affects a significant proportion of the population, with women being affected more than men. This article will discuss epidemiologic studies that highlight some of the gender-related issues and review the risk factors for venous disease. We will also discuss the physiologic venous changes that occur with pregnancy and highlight functional venous disease in women. Finally, we will review the indications for and treatment of superficial venous disease.

Adipokines are associated with lower extremity venous disease: the San Diego population study.

Obesity is a risk factor for venous disease. We tested the associations between adipokines and the presence and severity of venous disease. Participants for this analysis were drawn from a cohort of 2408 employees and retirees of a university in San Diego who were examined for venous disease using duplex ultrasonography. From this cohort, a case-control study sample of all 352 subjects with venous disease and 352 age-, sex- and race-matched subjects without venous disease were included in this analysis. All subjects completed health history questionnaires, had a physical examination with anthropometric measurements and had venous blood analyzed for adipokines. After adjustment for age, sex and race, those with venous disease had significantly higher levels of body mass index (BMI), leptin and interleukin-6. Levels of resistin and tumor necrosis factor-alpha were also higher but of borderline significance (0.05 < P < 0.10). Compared with the lowest tertile and with adjustment for age, sex, race and BMI, the 2nd and 3rd tertiles of resistin (odds ratios, 1.9 and 1.7, respectively), leptin (1.7 and 1.7) and tumor necrosis factor-alpha (1.4 and 1.7) were associated with increasing severity of venous disease. Conversely, a 5 kg m⁻² increment in BMI was associated with a higher odds ratio (1.5) for venous disease, which was independent of the adipokines included in this study. Both obesity and adipokines are significantly associated with venous disease. These associations appear to be independent of each other, suggesting potentially different pathways to venous disease.

Epidemiology of chronic venous disease

Chronic venous disease of the legs occurs commonly in the general population in the Western world. Estimates of the prevalence of varicose veins vary widely from 2-56% in men and from 1-60% in women. These variations reflect differences in variability of study populations including age, race and gender, methods of measurement and disease definition. Definitions of chronic venous disease may rely on reports of varicose veins by study participants, based on self-diagnosis or recall of a diagnosis, or on a standardized physical examination. Venous ulceration is less common, affecting approximately 0.3% of the adult population. Age and pregnancy have been established as risk factors for developing varicose veins. Evidence on other risk factors for venous disease is inconclusive. Prolonged standing has been proposed, but results of studies should be interpreted with caution given the difficulty in measuring levels of posture. Obesity has been suggested as a risk factor in women, but appears to be an aggravating factor rather than a primary cause. Other postulated risk factors include dietary intake and smoking, but evidence is lacking. Longitudinal studies using standardized methods of evaluation are required before the true incidence of chronic venous disease and associated risk factors can be determined.

Risk factors for chronic venous disease: The San Diego Population Study

The etiology of chronic venous disease in the lower limbs is unclear, and very limited data are available on potential risk factors from representative population studies. Participants in the San Diego Population Study, a free-living adult population randomly selected from age, sex, and ethnic strata, were systematically assessed for risk factors for venous disease. Categorization of normal, moderate, and severe disease was determined hierarchically through clinical examination and ultrasonography imaging by trained vascular technologists, who also performed anthropometric measures. An interviewer administered a questionnaire and an examination assessed potential risk factors for venous disease suggested by previous reports. In multivariable models, moderate venous disease was independently related to age, a family history of venous disease, previous hernia surgery, and normotension in both sexes. In men, current walking, the absence of cardiovascular disease, and not moving after sitting were also predictive. Additional predictors in women were weight, number of births, oophorectomy, flat feet, and not sitting. For severe disease, age, family history of venous disease, waist circumference, and flat feet were predictive in both sexes. In men, occupation as a laborer, cigarette smoking, and normotension were also independently associated with severe venous disease. Additional significant and independent predictors in women were hours standing, history of leg injury, number of births, and cardiovascular disease, but African American ethnicity was protective. Multiple other postulated risk factors for venous disease were not significant in multivariable analysis in this population. Although some risk factors for venous disease such as age, family history of venous disease, and findings suggestive of ligamentous laxity (hernia surgery, flat feet) are immutable, others can be modified, such as weight, physical activity, and cigarette smoking. Overall, these data provide modest support for the potential of behavioral risk-factor modification to prevent chronic venous disease.

The Epidemiology of Chronic Venous Diseases

Objective: To review the prevalence of and risk factors for varicose veins, chronic venous insufficiency (CVI) and venous leg ulcers. Data sources: MEDLINE was searched for the terms prevalence and varicose veins, chronic venous insufficiency, or venous leg ulcers. Study selection: The extant world literature (1966–1999) with a minimum of an available English abstract was collected. Ninety-nine studies were reviewed. Data extraction: Data were extracted on prevalence of diseases of the veins in the lower limb, age and gender of the subject populations, and other risk factors for those diseases examined by the original researchers. Data synthesis: The two most prominent risk factors for venous disease are increasing age and female gender. Additional risk factors for venous disease with at least some documentation in the literature include dietary patterns, obesity, physical activity, standing occupations, constrictive clothing, connective tissue laxity, and hormonal differences, including pregnancy. Family history is also a prominent risk factor, suggesting a genetic component. Conclusions: Varicose veins are found more commonly in women, and with increased age. The increase with age is linear, suggesting a constant incidence and cumulative prevalence. CVI is also more common in women and increases with age, but data are limited. Venous leg ulcers are much less common than varicose veins or CVI and show less of a female preponderance, but increase exponentially with age, suggesting a true increasing incidence with age.

Oral contraceptives and thrombosis, From risk estimates to health impact

The scientific debate on oral contraceptives (OCs) and thrombotic diseases continues unabated. The aim of this survey was to evaluate available scientific data on OCs and thrombotic diseases and to make tentative prescription recommendations of OCs to women with and without various thrombotic risk factors. In women 15-29 years old, venous thromboembolism is about twice as common as arterial complications. In women between 30 and 44 years, the number of arterial complications exceeds venous diseases by about 50%. The mortality from arterial diseases is 3.5 times higher than the number of deaths from venous diseases in women below 30 years, and 8.5 times higher in women 30-44 years old. A significant disability is more frequent in women suffering and surviving an arterial complication than in women with venous thromboembolism. Although many important scientific issues still have to be addressed, the available scientific data suggests a differential influence of OCs with second and third generation progestagens on the risk of venous and arterial diseases. OCs with second generation progestagens seem to confer a smaller increase in the risk of venous diseases and a higher increase in risk of arterial complications, compared with OCs containing third generation progestagens. The possible difference on the venous side seems to be smaller than primarily anticipated. Young women without any known risk factor for thrombotic diseases may use any low-dose OC. If OCs are prescribed to women with known risk factors for arterial thrombotic disease; e.g. smoking, diabetes, controlled hypertension, migraine without aura, family disposition of acute myocardial infarction (AMI) or thrombotic stroke, a low-dose pill with a third generation progestagen may have an advantage. If OCs are considered for women with risk factors for venous disease such as severe obesity, varicose veins, family history of VTE or with factor V Leiden mutation, a low-dose combined pill with a second generation progestagen may be preferable. In women above 30 years, OCs with third generation progestagens generally seem to confer less overall thrombotic morbidity, mortality and disability than OCs with second generation progestagens. These women should reconsider, however, the indication of combined OCs in the presence of significant risk factors of thrombotic diseases.

Venous Insufficiency of the Lower Limbs and Working Conditions

Objectives: To determine the prevalence of venous insufficiency (VI) in a population of women working in the health and social sectors. In a second stage, we assessed the relative contributions of the different occupational and personal risk factors for venous disease. Design: Descriptive, randomized, multicentre, cross-sectional study during January to September 1995. Study group: One thousand eight hundred and twenty-three women working in four health sectors: operating rooms, hospital laundries, day-nurseries and offices. Methods: The study was based on a physical examination and a medical questionnaire (personal and family history of VI, symptoms, use of medical care). Working conditions, temperature and humidity recordings were studied for each activity. A typological analysis and a discriminant analysis were carried out to determine the contribution of personal and occupational factors to the course of VI. Findings: VI is highly prevalent: 76% of subjects and up to 84% in the surgical room and laundry population. Functional symptoms and the presence of varicosities (small varicose veins of the ankle and medial plantar arch) and large varicose veins are more frequent, with the highest prevalence among operating room staff (respectively, 68% and 41%). Seniority is the first and main factor to explain the severity of the disease, independently of age. The number of pregnancies is also an important factor for the severity of VI, while a family history is not. Occupational factors such as high temperature and load-carrying have a significant direct influence. Conclusion: We observed a strong relationship between occupational factors and severity of VI. Occupational factors and personal factors could be quantified on the basis of scores identified in the discriminant analysis.

Importance of findings on the initial evaluation for cancer in patients with symptomatic idiopathic deep venous thrombosis.

The relation between thrombosis and cancer is well documented, but the clinical evaluation appropriate for detecting underlying cancer in patients with deep venous thrombosis remains unknown. To 1) determine the appropriate initial evaluation for cancer in patients with idiopathic deep venous thrombosis and 2) estimate the incidence of subsequently diagnosed cancer in patients who were not found to have cancer when deep venous thrombosis was diagnosed. Retrospective cohort study. Urban, tertiary care teaching hospital. 986 consecutive patients (637 women and 349 men; mean age +/- SD, 53 +/- 17 years) who had no risk factors for venous disease and had venous ultrasonography because idiopathic deep venous thrombosis was suspected. Initial clinical evaluation was assessed by using chart review. The incidence of cancer at a median of 34 months after diagnosis of deep venous thrombosis was obtained through hospital chart review (38%), computerized record extraction (54%), mailed questionnaires (6%), telephone interviews (1%), or a death registry (1%). Deep venous thrombosis was diagnosed in 142 patients (14%); 136 of the 142 were hospitalized. Cancer was diagnosed in 16 of these 136 patients (12%) during the index hospitalization. All 16 of these patients had one or more abnormalities on at least one of the four components of the clinical examination: history, physical examination, basic laboratory testing, or chest radiography. The probability of detecting cancer increased as the number of findings suggestive of cancer on the four components of the clinical evaluation increased. Cancer was diagnosed in none of the 56 patients with deep venous thrombosis who did not have findings on the clinical evaluation. The probability of cancer-free survival during follow-up (median, 34 months) was similar in patients with (3 of 122 [2.5%]) and without (23 of 844 [2.7%]) deep venous thrombosis and in the age- and sex-matched U.S. population. A clinical evaluation that includes a comprehensive medical history, physical examination, routine laboratory testing, and chest radiography seems to be appropriate for detecting cancer in these patients. Additional testing should be guided by any abnormalities detected by this clinical evaluation.