Varicose Vein

Varicose veins are a part of the spectrum of chronic venous disease and include spider telangiectasias, reticular veins, and true varicosities. Approximately 23% of US adults have varicose veins. If spider telangiectasias and reticular veins are also considered, the prevalence increases to 80% of men and 85% of women. Generally more common in women and older adults, varicose veins affect 22 million women and 11 million men between the ages of 40 to 80 years. Of these, 2 million men and women will develop symptoms and signs of chronic venous insufficiency, including venous ulceration. The sheer prevalence of varicose veins and the substantial cost of treating late complications such as chronic venous ulcers contribute to a high burden on health care resources. Chronic venous ulcerations result in the loss of 2 million workdays and cost an estimated $3 billion per year to treat in the United States. Even varicose veins alone, without more advanced signs of chronic venous insufficiency, result in important reductions in quality of life. Risk factors for varicose veins are often categorized as hormonal, lifestyle, acquired, and inherited. The effect of estrogen on the risk of varicose veins may explain, in part, the increased prevalence among women. Smoking is an important modifiable risk factor for varicose veins and more severe forms of chronic venous disease, including venous ulceration.5 Post-thrombotic syndrome after deep vein thrombosis (DVT) may result in varicose veins within the absence of primary venous disease.