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.

Longstanding and large ulcers and recurrences are the main problems encountered by venous ulcer patients. Severe lipodermatosclerosis, previous ulcer history, and time since first ulcer episode ≥ 2 years are significant risk factors.

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PURPOSE: To compare the efficacy and safety of a low molecular weight heparin (enoxaparin) with unfractionated heparin (UH) in this prophylaxis. METHODS: Seventy five patients (59 men and 16 women), undergoing major lower extremity amputation (30 above-knee and 45 below-knee), were randomized to be treated with subcutaneous UH (5,000 IU t.i.d.) or enoxaparin (40mg/day) during hospitalization. Prophylaxis was started 12 hours before surgery or, in emergency cases, in the first postoperative day. RESULTS: The two groups were comparable with regard to baseline characteristics. Evaluation of DVT was performed by daily clinical examination and by duplex scanning before and 5 to 8 days after surgery. DVT was documented in the operated limb in 9.75% in patients treated with enoxaparin and in 11.76% in patients treated with UH (p=0.92) and there was one bilateral thrombosis in each group . Bleeding complications were not observed in both groups. CONCLUSION: Enoxaparin and UH were both efficient and safe for the prophylaxis of DVT in patients submitted to lower extremity amputation.

CONTEXTO: A aplicação de uma estratégia baseada em um modelo clínico associado ao mapeamento dúplex (MD) pode permitir um diagnóstico da trombose venosa profunda (TVP) mais seguro, eficaz e custo-efetivo. OBJETIVO: Testar o modelo clínico de Wells et al. associado ao MD e verificar a ocorrência de TVP nos pacientes categorizados quanto à probabilidade de apresentar a doença, e determinar se, a partir dos resultados obtidos, seria possível reduzir o número de exames seriados com o MD. MÉTODOS: Os pacientes com suspeita clínica de TVP foram categorizados quanto à apresentação de TVP em baixa, moderada e alta probabilidade (BP, MP, AP) e, em seguida, submetidos ao MD. Pacientes com MD negativo repetiram o exame em 24-48 horas e em 7 dias. Pacientes com exame positivo para TVP foram tratados. Todos os pacientes sem TVP foram convocados para reavaliação clínica em 3 meses. RESULTADOS: A ocorrência de TVP entre os 489 pacientes avaliados foi de 39,1% (191), sendo 35,6% identificados no exame inicial e 3,5% no exame seriado. Os índices de pacientes que apresentaram TVP foram de 6,1% no grupo de BP, 26,9% no grupo de MP e 79,5% no grupo de AP. No exame seriado, o percentual de TVP foi de 2,4, 7,8 e 15,1% nos grupos BP, MP e AP, respectivamente. Dos pacientes com MD negativo, 62,4% compareceram após 3 meses, e piora dos sintomas foi apresentada por apenas um paciente. Neste, o MD mostrou TVP de veia poplítea. CONCLUSÃO: Os resultados obtidos sugerem que, para os pacientes com BP para TVP e MD negativo, seria possível prescindir do exame seriado, devido à baixa ocorrência de TVP neste grupo, tornando, assim, a abordagem diagnóstica mais simples.

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Objectives To evaluate the effectiveness of compression stockings in controlling the varicose veins in pregnant women. Method A prospective controlled randomized clinical trial was performed, including 60 women: intervention group (n = 30), who used compression stockings, and control group (n = 30). Diameters of the great saphenous vein and small saphenous vein in the lower limbs of pregnant women in an orthostatic position were analyzed using Duplex-ultrasound. The symptomatology and CEAP were evaluated. Results Great saphenous vein diameters in the intervention group were 0.37 cm initial and 0.32 cm final (p < 0.0001) in the right leg and 0.28 cm and 0.38 cm (p < 0.0001) in the control group. CEAP classification presented worsening in the control group (p < 0.0001). The signs and symptoms in the control vs. intervention group: pain (86.67% vs. 23.33%; p < 0.0001), edema (70.00% vs. 33.33%; p = 0.0045), and leg heaviness (93.33% vs. 13.33%; p < 0.0001). Conclusions Compression stockings were effective in controlling the varicose veins related to pregnancy.