Encuesta epidemiológica realizada en España sobre la prevalencia asistencial de la insuficiencia venosa crónica en atención primaria. Estudio DETECT-IVC

Prevalence and clinical characteristics of chronic venous disease in patients seen in primary care in Spain: results of the international study Vein Consult Program

INTRODUCTION

The aim of this study was to evaluate the prevalence, clinical characteristics and management of chronic venous disease (CVD) in patients seen at primary care clinics

PATIENTS AND METHODS

This cross-sectional study was carried-out in Spain by 999 primary care physicians. They recruited 20 consecutive patients who were attending their clinics for any reason except for a medical emergency. The following Information was collected: demographic data, CVD risk factors, physical examination, clinical characteristics of the CVD and how it was managed.

RESULTS

19,800 patients were included, predominantly women (63%), with a mean age of 53.7 ± 20 years. The prevalence of CVD (CEAP categories C1 to C6) was 48.5% (95% CI, 47.8 to 49.2), significantly higher in women (58.5%; 95% CI, 57.6 to 59.4) than in men (32.1%; 95% CI, 31.0 to 33.1). The greater the age the higher the prevalence and the more advanced the CVD. Ninety-nine percent of the patients required some form of treatment, with a greater proportion among women (72% vs. 39%, P<.0001). Sclerotherapy, endothermal ablation or surgery was required by 4% of the patients. Referral to the specialist was considered for 7% of the patients.

CONCLUSION

Chronic venous disease is highly prevalent among patients seen at primary care clinics in Spain, especially in women and elderly patients. Referral to a specialist and/or the use of the more invasive treatment procedures is uncommon.

Negative impact of deep venous thrombosis on chronic venous disease

INTRODUCTION

There are several conditions that may cause chronic venous disease (CVD). It is not known whether the aetiology of CVD can predict disease severity and quality of life (QoL). Our objective is that the severity and QoL of patients with CVD secondary to DVT is different from those without prior DVT.

MATERIAL AND METHODS

We compare patients with CVD caused by DVT (n=125) and patients with non-DVT CVD (n=1435) with respect to disease severity (CEAP and Venous Clinical Severity Score-VCSS) and quality of life (Health Survey Short-Form-SF12 y Chronic Lower Limb Venous Insufficiency Questionnaire-CIVIQ20).

RESULTS

Regarding to non-thrombotic CVD, patients with CVD due to DVT showed more severe disease [C6 grade (14.4% vs 3.6%) (p<0.05); score VCSS (1,33±0,65 vs 0,84±0,49) (p<0.05)] and poorer QoL [global score CIVIQ-20 (57,84±15,57 vs 65,75±14,07) (p<0.05); global score SF-12 (45,98±18,79 vs 57,79±19,64) (p<0.05).]. These differences remained statistical significant in all parameters - attributed measured at each severity score and QoL questionnaires.

CONCLUSION

A history of DVT leads to worse clinical severity and quality of life in CVD patients. These data support even more the need to implement programs to prevent DVT and/or its evolutionary consequences.

[Criteria for referral between levels of care of patients with peripheral vascular disease. SEMFYC-SEACV consensus document]

Coordination between care levels is essential to increase the efficiency of the Health System; vascular disease has an important role in this respects, as it includes frequent, serious and vulnerable conditions. Consensus documents are an essential tool to obtain these aims. This document is not expected to replace the Clinical Guidelines, but tries to establish the basis of the shared management of the patient with vascular disease (peripheral arterial disease, diabetic foot, and chronic venous insufficiency) in three ways: to determine the profile of the patient who should receive priority follow-up at every level; to establish the skills that every professional must have, and to set and to prioritise the referral criteria in both directions.

[Criteria for between-care-level referrals of patients with vascular disease. semFYC-SEACV consensus document]

The Spanish Society of Family and Community Medicine (semFYC) and the Spanish Society of Angiology and Vascular Surgery (SEACV), through a Joint Working Group, have prepared a document on between care-level referrals of patients with the main vascular diseases; peripheral arterial disease, venous insufficiency, and diabetic foot. The responsibilities and skills required at each care level have been defined, as well as the criteria for mutual referral and how to prioritise them. The preparation of this consensus document attempt to provide an efficient tool that may ensure the continuity of health care, always respecting the specific characteristics and needs of each health care area.

The aetiology and influence of age and gender on the development of advanced chronic venous insufficiency in the population of patients of semi-urban county outpatient vascular clinic in Poland

Objective

To determine the aetiology and influence of age and gender on the development of advanced chronic venous insufficiency in patients of semi-urban county outpatient vascular clinic.

Methods

One hundred and fourteen patients with venous ulcers were divided, based on the ultrasound examination, into group 1 or group 2, with or without post-thrombotic lesions in the deep venous system, respectively. The control group consisted of 352 patients with varicose veins and without leg ulceration. The demographic data and thrombotic risk factors were compared between the groups.

Results

Group 1 patients ( n = 109) were older than group 2 patients ( n = 5) and control group patients, 64.7 versus 47.2 years ( P = 0.016) and versus 53.8 years ( P < 0.001), respectively. The percentage of women did not differ between group 1 and the control group, but was lower in group 2 ( P = 0.01). The history of lower limb fracture or severe trauma increased the risk of post-thrombotic syndrome (PTS) in patients with venous ulcer.

Conclusion

In the population studied, the venous leg ulcer develops mainly due to primary varicose veins and its risk increases with age and is equal for both sexes. PTS should be suspected in younger patients with a history of severe trauma or leg fracture.

Use of a nanocrystalline silver dressing on lymphatic ulcers in patients with chronic lymphoedema

OBJECTIVE

A prospective evaluation to explore the effect of treating patients with chronic lower limb lymphoedema and lymphatic ulcers using a nanocrystalline dressing and multilayer bandaging.

METHOD

Ulcers were cleansed and dressed with a nanocrystalline silver dressing, an alginate dressing and a hydrocellular dressing, followed by multilayer short-stretch compression bandages. A digital planimetry system was used to calculate the ulcer surface area. In cases of multiple ulcers, the areas were added together.

RESULTS

Eight patients with chronic lower limb lymphoedema plus ulcers were included. Median age was 53.7 years (range 39.2-72.3). Mean ulcer size was 10.5cm2 (range: 0.8-33.8). All ulcers completely healed after one to nine weeks of treatment.

CONCLUSION

This protocol has been effective in healing lymphatic ulcers and was well accepted by patients. There were no adverse effects or withdrawals. Further studies with larger numbers of patients are required to support these results.

[Prevalence and risk factors of varicose veins in adults]

BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVE

We intended to estimate the prevalence of varicose veins in the mature population of the Valencia Community and to analyze its relationship with socio-demographic variables, self-reported health status, body mass index and the presence of hemorrhoids, tobacco smoking, alcohol consumption and physical activity.

SUBJECTS AND METHOD

Information on self-reported varicose veins was collected from 1,778 adults older than 14 years (819 men and 959 women) who participated in the Health and Nutrition Survey of the Valencia Community (Spain). We estimated the prevalence of varicose veins by age groups and sex. To explore the association between varicose veins and variables, we estimated adjusted odds ratios (OR) with 95% confidence intervals (CI 95%) by multiple logistic regression.

RESULTS

The overall prevalence of varicose veins was 16.4%, with a much higher prevalence in women that in men (26.7% versus 5.5%) and with older age. Gender and age were the 2 strongest predictors of varicose veins in multivariate analysis. Women had seven times more risk than men (OR = 7.01; CI 95%, 4.52-10.87) and those older than 35 years almost tripled the risk with respect to those aged 15-24 years. A body mass index of 30 kg/m2, a poor self-reported health status and hemorrhoids were significantly associated with the presence of varicose veins. Employers showed higher risk than workers. A moderate alcohol consumption (< or = 1 drink/day) was associated with a protective effect (OR = 0.50; CI 95%, 0.28-0.88). Tobacco smoking and physical activity were not associated with varicose veins.

CONCLUSIONS

Although being a woman and having an advanced age were the strongest predictors of varicose veins, other factors such as a high BMI, poor health status, hemorrhoids and some professional categories may be also important factors in their presentation. A moderate alcohol consumption seems to have a protective effect.