Cardiovascular evaluation of young patients with varicocele.

OBJECTIVE: To evaluate cardiovascular risk factors and demographic parameters in patients with varicocele.
DESIGN: Although some pathophysiologic hypotheses have been suggested to explain the etiology of varicocele, the exact mechanism underlying varicocele is not yet known. The coexistence of arterial and venous system pathologic conditions has been reported recently, including varicosities of the coronary venous system and leg veins. Cardiovascular risk factors have not been evaluated previously in patients with varicocele. In addition to the presence of cardiovascular risk factors and demographic parameters, we assessed the prevalence of peripheral varicose veins in patients with and without varicocele. PATIENT(S): Study groups consisted of 52 patients with varicocele and 100 patients without varicocele younger than 50 years old. RESULT(S): There were no statistically significant differences between the two groups with respect to presence of hypertension, diabetes mellitus, hyperlipidemia, family history of coronary artery disease, body mass index, age, and height. The weight and presence of peripheral varicose veins in the patients with varicocele were significantly higher than in those without varicocele. It was found that presence of peripheral varicose veins was independently and positively associated with varicocele. CONCLUSION(S): We have demonstrated that varicocele is not associated with cardiovascular risk factors or demographic parameters. However, the presence of peripheral varicose veins is positively associated with varicocele, suggesting a possible common pathologic step.