Prevalence of Varicose Veins Among Nurses in Different Departments in Jazan Public Hospitals, Saudi Arabia: A Cross-Sectional Study

Abstract

Varicose veins (VV) in the lower limbs are the most prevalent vascular condition in humans. They can cause significant signs and symptoms and, in extreme cases, death. This study aims to investigate the prevalence and identify the risk factors for varicose veins among nurses working in multiple departments at Jazan King Fahd Central Hospital and Prince Muhammad bin Nasser Hospital. A cross-sectional study was conducted by sending a questionnaire to female and male nurses in these hospitals. This study included 482 nurses, 415 (86.1%) of whom were female and 67 (13.9%) male. The prevalence of varicose veins among the nurses of both hospitals was 76 (15.8%), compared with 406 (84.2%) not diagnosed with varicose veins. The prevalence of varicose veins was 67 (88.2%) in female nurses, compared with 9 (11.8%) in male nurses. The risk factors associated with varicose veins were ethnicity ( p = 0.007), carrying heavy items ( p = 0.001), lack of exercise ( p = 0.031), family history ( p = 0.001), use of hormonal therapy ( p = 0.001), use of contraceptive pills ( p = 0.0035), type of delivery ( p = 0.002), number of children ( p = 0.004), and hours sitting per shift ( p = 0.002). The comorbidities associated with varicose veins were deep vein thrombosis ( p = 0.001), hypertension ( p = 0.002), chronic constipation ( p = 0.006), diabetes ( p = 0.001), kidney disease ( p = 0.001), rheumatoid arthritis ( p = 0.001), coronary artery disease, and severe occupational injury to the lower extremities ( p = 0.001). Nurses are responsible for most of the health system's services. Increasing the number of nursing workers for patient care, encouraging physical exercise, and lowering the pension age appear to be required to avoid the occurrence and development of varicose veins among nurses.

Global impact and contributing factors in varicose vein disease development

“…Nursing is also believed to be a high-risk profession in terms of the VVs disease development because of its long-standing position during work. 42 , 43 A cross-sectional investigation was conducted in Amol, Iran, which documented similar findings and illustrated a 73% of prevalence rate among the medical attendants. 3 Ziegler et al 41 also showed a 34% of prevalence rate of VVs among the hospital staff.…”

“…These 9 2007 Bihari et al 33 2012 DePopas and Brown 12 2018 Homs-Romero et al 31 2021 Gender Laurikka et al 36 2002 Criqui et al 17 2003 Bahk et al 23 2012 Chen and Guo 14 and Das et al 7 2014 Sharif Nia et al 3 2015 Rabe at al. 37 2016 Family history Hirai et al 19 1990 Carpentier 38 and Cornu-Thenard et al 39 2000 and 1994 Brinsuk et al 40 2004 Ahti et al 32 2009 Occupation Zeigler et al 41 2003 Nasiri-Foourg et al 42 2005 Bahk et al 23 and Bihari et al 33 2012 Sharif Nia et al 3 2015 Khan et al 25 2013 Dalboh et al 35 2020 Ali et al 43 2022 Pregnancy and parity…”

Improving the Efficiency of Treatment of Trophic Ulcers in the Lower Extremities Resulted From Chronic Venous Insufficiency

“…Хірургія щитоподібної залози (ЩЗ) була і залишається однією з провідних тем сучасної тиреоїдної патології. Незважаючи на детальну розробку методики оперативного втручання при різних формах зобу ризики виникнення ятрогенних пошкоджень так званих «структур ризику»гортанних нервів (ГН) і прищитоподібних залоз (ПЗ), а також суб-і післяопераційних кровотеч залишаються суттєвою проблемою на шляху реабілітації хворих [1,2,3,4,5,6,7,8,9,10,11].…”

“…The leading cause of the development of long-term non-healing trophic ulcers of the lower extremities is the failure of the valves in superficial or perforator veins resulting in chronic venous insufficiency [2]. 2-5% of the able-bodied population suffers from chronic trophic ulcers of the lower extremities, moreover, there is an increase in annual growth in the population, especially in aged people [3].…”

Trophic Ulcers of the Lower Extremities: Possibilities of Conservative Treatment

“…Varicose veins of the lower extremities are a widespread pathology, especially among representatives of both sexes aged 25-50 years, that is, in the most socially active part of the population, and more than 15% of cases have severe forms of the disease with pronounced trophic and recurrent ulcers [1,2,3]. Adequately selected therapeutic and preventive methods and means play a very important role in solving this urgent problem for modern medicine.…”