Global Epidemiology of Chronic Venous Disease

Abstract

Objective: To provide an updated estimate of the global prevalence of CVD and to comprehensively evaluate risk factors associated with this condition. Background: CVD is an important cause of morbidity internationally, but the global burden of this condition is poorly characterized. The burden of CVD must be better characterized to optimize service provision and permit workforce planning to care for patients with different stages of CVD. Methods: A systematic search in Ovid MEDLINE and Embase (1946-2019) identified 1271 articles. Full-text, English language articles reporting on the epidemiology of CVD in a general adult population were included. Data extraction was performed by 2 independent reviewers, in accordance with a preregistered protocol (PROSPERO: CRD42019153656). STATA and Review Manager were used for quantitative analysis. A crude, unadjusted pooled prevalence was calculated for each Clinical (C) stage in the Clinical, Etiologic, Anatomic, Pathophysiologic classification and across different geographical regions. Qualitative analysis was performed to evaluate associated risk factors in CVD. Results: Thirty-two articles across 6 continents were identified. Nineteen studies were included in the overall pooled prevalence for each Clinical (C) stage; pooled estimates were:

Systematic review and meta-analysis of exercise therapy for venous leg ulcer healing and recurrence

“…The ulcer healing outcomes were not reported separately for men and women in the included trials. Although chronic venous disease has been more common in women, 3 recent population data have demonstrated a significant link between male gender and the diagnosis of VLU and increased mortality due to VLU, which could lead to gender differences in outcomes. 39 Future trials must record all baseline data known to affect ulcer healing and perform stratified randomization by ulcer duration, size and pattern of venous reflux, and ulcer etiology.…”

“…1 VLU accounts for 60% to 80% of all leg ulcers, with an estimated global prevalence of 0.42% for active ulcers and 1% for healed ulcers. 2,3 Such ulcers also result in a serious economic burden, with 4.6 million practice nurse visits and 2.1 million district nurse visits, costing £941 million per annum in the United Kingdom. 4 The treatment of VLU requires endovenous ablation of superficial venous reflux, combined with compression therapy using stockings, inelastic garments, or multilayer bandaging.…”

Varicose veins as a risk factor for venous thromboembolism in arthroplasty patients: Meta-analysis

“…Approximately one third of the world's population have varicose veins, with patients often reporting swelling and discomfort as the precipitating factors for seeking intervention. [1][2][3][4][5] Leg swelling is also a common complaint of a patient with lower limb degenerative joint disease, 6,7 and elective lower limb arthroplasty is considered one of the most common elective surgical procedures carried out worldwide for severe joint disease. 8 Several risk factors for venous thromboembolism (VTE) have been established in recent years and there has been much debate surrounding varicose veins as an independent risk factor for VTE.…”

Earth’s gravity field and prevalence of varicose veins and chronic venous disease: Systematic review

“…Reported global, pooled, age independent prevalence of varicose veins and associated with venous incompetency chronic venous disease or C2–C6 clinical classes of the Clinical Etiological Anatomical Pathophysiological classification (CEAP) 1 is approximately 32.5%. 2 The main risk factor of the disease is older age. 1 The influence of other factors is controversial because of the discrepant data based mainly on the age-unadjusted analysis.…”