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Dedicated to improving the treatment of venous disease

Volume 8, Number 03

www.venousdigest.com

March 2001

Copyright 1995 John J. Bergan, MD, Inc.

1 of 7

Venous Digest, 2329 Barley Drive, Vista, CA 92083 USA (760) 599-9725

WHAT ARE THE SYMPTOMS OF

VARICOSE VEINS. EDINBURGH VEIN

STUDY CROSS-SECTIONAL

POPULATION SURVEY

Bradbury A, Evans C, Allan P, et. al.

Br Med J 1999; 318:353-56

ABSTRACT AND COMMENTARY BY:

Robert A. Weiss, MD

Hunt Valley, Maryland

This is a questionnaire-oriented epidemiologic study based

on a random sample of 1566 people (approximately 45% men,

55% women). The subjects were invited to attend a research

clinic for the purpose of filling out a self-administered ques-

tionnaire. This questionnaire included inquiry for the presence

of symptoms including leg heaviness or tension, swelling,

aching, restless legs, cramps, itching and tingling. After

filling out the questionnaire, the subjects were examined by a

nurse, technician or research fellow for the presence or

absence of varicose veins.

Data was then manipulated by various computer statistical

packages to examine the relationship between the presence of

symptoms and a number of factors, including presence of

varicosities, on a brief visual physical examination performed

by numerous health personnel other than physicians. No

objective test other than physical examination was done.

None of the noninvasive venous screening techniques such as

venous duplex or plethysmography were administered.

Results showed the predictable increase of symptoms with

increasing age in both sexes, while women complained of leg

symptoms more than men. A feeling of swelling, restless legs,

and itching was statistically more prevalent in older women

than in younger women. When the symptom data was corre-

lated with the brief clinical observation of presence or absence

of varicosities, the conclusions were that only itching correla-

ted with the presence and severity of trunk varices in men (p =

0.011). In women, there was a significant correlation between

presence of trunk varices and heaviness or tension (p < 0.001),

aching (p < 0.001), and itching (p < 0.005).

Based on this data, the authors conclude that ?agreement

between symptoms and signs in people with varicose veins is

so poor that it may be of little value in determining whether

symptoms are of venous origin or whether surgery will relieve

them.? Furthermore, the authors suggest that scarce (medical)

resources should be more appropriately focused than to

perform what they have concluded is needless venous surgery.

TABLE OF CONTENTS

What are the Symptoms of Varicose Veins. Edinburgh

Vein Study Cross-Sectional Population Survey

Bradbury A, Evans, Allan P, et. al.

Abstracted by: Robert A. Weiss, Maryland

Treatment of Spider Veins using a 10 msec Pulse-

Duration, Frequency-Doubled Neodymium:YAG Laser

Bernstein EF, Kornbluth S, Brown DB, Black J.

Abstracted by: Robert A. Weiss, Maryland

Effect of Compression Stockings on Leg Volume in

Patients with Varicose Veins

Mdller-Bdhl U, Heim B, Fischbach U, et. al.

Abstracted by: Newton DeBarros, Jr., Brazil

Lesion of the Common Peroneal Nerve as a

Complication of Varicose Vein Surgery

Ferrari-Tropper D, Amallo S.

Abstracted by: Attilio Cavezzi, Italy

Clinical Examination of Varicose Veins: A Validation

Study

Kim J, Richards S, Kent PJ.

Abstracted by: Peter Conrad, Australia

List of Contributors in 2000

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