Publication:

Clinical profile of patients with varicose vein: a cross sectional study from Vilasrao Deshmukh Government Institute of Medical Sciences, Latur, Maharashtra

Background Although there is considerable evidence to suggest that varicose veins are less common in developing countries like ours, the absence of adequate epidemiological data leaves the question open. The objective of the study was to assess the risk factors and clinical features of patients with varicose veins in urban patients visiting surgical OPD.

Methods The present cross-sectional observational study was carried out in 60 patients having varicose veins. Clinical features and diagnosis were assessed and analysed using SPSS software.

Results Maximum number of patients 29 (48%) presented in the 31-50 years age group. 88.3% were males and 11.7% were females. 68.3% of patient’s belong to the group whose occupation involved prolonged standing. In 18.3% of patients, both legs were involved. Involvement of great saphenous vein was seen in 51 cases i.e. 85% and in remaining 9 cases (15%), small saphenous vein was involved. In majority of our patients, Doppler study revealed incompetency of perforators i.e. 26 (43.3%) followed by sapheno-femoral as well as sapheno-femoral with popliteal in 16 each i.e. 26.7%.

Conclusions The varicose veins occur in third and fifth decades of life. The occupations involving prolonged standing and violent muscular efforts are more prone for developing varicose veins. Presence of prominent swellings in lower limb and pain were the commonest presenting symptoms. Colour doppler ultrasonography is the investigation of choice in the management of varicose veins. Combined valvular incompetence is more common.