Varicose Veins and Chronic Venous Insufficiency in Brazil: Prevalence among 1755 Inhabitants of a Country Town

Abstract

The prevalence of varicose veins (VV) and of chronic venous insufficiency (CVI) was studied among 1755 adults over 15 years of age (443 men and 1312 women). These people attended the University Health Center in Botucatu, a country town in the State of Sao Paulo, Brazil, for routine examination or for any disease complaints. The prevalence of all grades of VV not including telangiectasis and reticular varices grade I was 47.6% (37.9% in men and 50.9% in non-pregnant women). The prevalence of VV recorded as moderate or severe was 21.2%. The more severe form of CVI with active or healed ulcer was present in 3.6% of the subjects (2.3% of men and 4% of women). For only 5.5% of the patients was VV or CVI the reason for medical consultation. The prevalence of VV increased with age and number of pregnancies and was greater among white than non-white people. Working posture or posture adopted for defaecation did not influence the prevalence of VV. Our data show the prevalence of VV and CVI to be higher or as high as the prevalence found in developed western countries. We therefore propose that studies of these conditions should be included in epidemiological surveys of other developing areas or countries, so that if data similar to ours are verified prophylaxis and early treatment could be included in health planning for these areas with the aim of reducing future morbidity and the related social onus.

Correlação entre classificação clínica ceap e qualidade de vida na doença venosa crônica

“…In a study carried out in the city of Botucatu, State of São Paulo, Maffei et al 16 observed higher prevalence of CVD, especially the more severe forms of the disease, in groups of individuals over the age of 50 years 16 .…”

“…Most epidemiological studies on the CVD population show higher prevalence of the disease among female subjects than among male subjects 16,17 . The factor of female gender has also been identified as an important risk factor for CVD 7,21 .…”

“…Brazilian epidemiological studies have produced data showing that the prevalence of CVD among the population is 35.5%, and that 1.5% of such cases consisted of open or healed varicose ulcers 16 . Moreover, the incidence of CVD among women is 50% 17 .…”

“…Moreover, the incidence of CVD among women is 50% 17 . It has also been observed that aging, number of pregnancies and female gender are important risk factors for the development of this disease and its complications 16,17 .…”

Manejo clínico de úlceras venosas na atenção primária à saúde

“…In Brazil, these data are not well known, however, an epidemiological study on venous alterations of the LE in the population of Botucatu (São Paulo) estimated a prevalence of 1.5% (4) , while another study conducted in Rio Grande do Norte found a prevalence of 0.36/1.000 (5) . Venous ulcers are more prevalent in women, and generally affect elderly persons in the age-range between 60 and 80 years (1) .…”