BACKGROUND: Chronic venous insufficiency (CVI) in the occupational population is often poorly recognized. The dimensions of this problem have never been thoroughly investigated in the Netherlands. OBJECTIVE: To study the epidemiology and risk factors of CVI in males with a standing position at work. To develop a simple diagnostic instrument for screening an (occupational) population for CVI. METHODS: 387 male workers with a standing profession were examined by means of a questionnaire, physical examination, Doppler ultrasound investigation, light reflection rheography and optical leg volume measurements. RESULTS: CVI was present in 29% of the subjects and correlated with age, weight and duration of standing work. Complaints of the legs were reported by 81% of the individuals with CVI but also by 63% of the persons without CVI. The questionnaire had a predictive value of 80% in detecting CVI. CONCLUSION: CVI was a major problem because of the quantity (29%) and the accompanying complaints. Neither the questionnaire nor other investigative measures proved to be as efficient in diagnosing CVI as physical examination in combination with Doppler ultrasound investigation.
BACKGROUND:Chronic venous insufficiency (CVI) in the occupational population is often poorly recognized. The dimensions of this problem have never been thoroughly investigated in the Netherlands. OBJECTIVE: To study the epidemiology and risk factors of CVI in males with a standing position at work. To develop a simple diagnostic instrument for screening an (occupational) population for CVI. METHODS: 387 male workers with a standing profession were examined by means of a questionnaire, physical examination, Doppler ultrasound investigation, light reflection rheography and optical leg volume measurements. RESULTS: CVI was present in 29% of the subjects and correlated with age, weight and duration of standing work. Complaints of the legs were reported by 81% of the individuals with CVI but also by 63% of the persons without CVI. The questionnaire had a predictive value of 80% in detecting CVI. CONCLUSION: CVI was a major problem because of the quantity (29%) and the accompanying complaints. Neither the questionnaire nor other investigative measures proved to be as efficient in diagnosing CVI as physical examination in combination with Doppler ultrasound investigation.
Authors: Sophie Ziegler; Gerald Eckhardt; Rudolf Stöger; Johann Machula; Hugo W Rüdiger Journal: Wien Klin Wochenschr Date: 2003-09-15 Impact factor: 2.275