Chronic venous disorders – common and yet unknown – a study of public awareness and primary symptoms in a selected group of patients

Abstract

Introduction Chronic venous disorder (CVD) is thoroughly spread across the globe. It affects about 40% of the Polish population. European guidelines underline that there are no data on the percentage of people who have first symptoms of chronic venous insufficiency. Aim To determine the frequency and pattern of first symptoms and examine public knowledge on CVD in a selected group of patients. Material and methods Our study group consists of 175 patients who took part in preventive assessment of nevi. To determine public knowledge on CVD, we constructed a questionnaire, which consisted of two sections: one part to be completed by the patient and the other by the doctor. Results The median age was 41 years. From 175 patients, about 40% claimed that they do not recognize CVD. Only about half of them knew how to diagnose and treat it. Most of them associate telangiectasia and varicose veins as primary signs and symptoms of CVD. Conclusions Despite the fact that the disease itself is common, the level of public awareness is astonishingly low. Majority of patients tested could not associate first signs and symptoms, even though most of them had primary symptoms of the disease. In order to avoid high-cost treatment of ulcers and varicose veins, we should spread the knowledge on CVD.

Asociación entre el conocimiento sobre insuficiencia venosa crónica y la severidad clínica en mujeres

“…3 Asimismo, con la inversión de la pirámide poblacional y el envejecimiento global inminente, se prevé que la presencia de ivc aumente de manera exorbitante, lo que a su vez hará que incrementen los costos de la atención médica y el uso de recursos en su tratamiento, por lo que la prevención resulta primordial. 4 Las manifestaciones clínicas de dicho padecimiento son insidiosas al inicio; desde pequeños cambios en las venas reticulares hasta la formación de telangiectasias. Por ello, no tienen un impacto significativo en la vida diaria de las personas que la padecen y pasan desapercibidas, hasta que la enfermedad va siguiendo su curso natural y causa dolor constante, cambios en la pigmentación y se presentan úlceras venosas.…”

“…Esta sintomatología es indicativa de estadios avanzados de la enfermedad, lo cual complica el manejo y puede condicionar discapacidad. 4 Es importante evaluar la gravedad de la enfermedad, pues es así como el médico determina las medidas terapéuticas más adecuadas para los pacientes con insuficiencia venosa. Para ello, se han utilizado diversas escalas; una de ellas es la ceap (clínica, etiología, anatomía y fisiopatología), la cual guía la toma de decisiones médicas, ya que ayuda a la estatificación de la enfermedad y la decisión del tratamiento.…”

Association Between Knowledge of Chronic Venous Insufficiency and Clinical Severity in Women

“…3 Likewise, with the inversion of the population pyramid and imminent global aging, the presence of cvi is expected to increase exorbitantly, which in turn will increase the costs of medical care and the use of resources in its treatment; therefore prevention is essential. 4 The clinical manifestations of this condition are insidious at the beginning; from small changes in the reticular veins to the formation of telangiectasias. Therefore, they do not have a significant impact on the daily life of sufferers and go unnoticed, until the disease follows its natural course and causes constant pain, changes in pigmentation, and venous ulcers occur.…”

“…This symptomatology is indicative of advanced stages of the disease, which complicates management and can lead to disability. 4 It is important to assess the severity of the disease, as this is how the physician determines the most appropriate therapeutic measures for patients with venous insufficiency. For this purpose, several scales have been used; one of them is the ceap (clinical, etiology, anatomy and pathophysiology), which guides medical decision making, as it helps in disease stratification and treatment decisions.…”

Plasma levels of leucocyte elastase-generated cross linked fibrin degradation products (E-XDP) are elevated in chronic venous disease

“…The most common cause of CVD is varicose veins, less common post-thrombotic changes, and rarely venous malformations [ 5 , 6 ]. A history of deep venous thrombosis (DVT) is commonly associated with worse clinical severity and quality of life in CVD patients [ 7 ].…”