title: [Mechanisms, epidemiology and clinical evaluation of venous insufficiency of the lower limbs].
abstract: Chronic venous insufficiency of the lower limbs is a frequent disorder that has costly repercussions for society as a whole. It is important to distinguish between abnormality of venous function and its most frequent causes, which are sequelae of deep venous thrombosis and varices of the lower limbs. Chronic venous insufficiency manifests by functional symptoms, based on the heavy leg syndrome, which is very frequent but not specific, and on objective distal signs that are highly specific. Both prognosis and cost of the disorder are based on such objective signs, cutaneous and subcutaneous complications of stasis and of venous hypertension, ranging from simple ochre dermatitis to recurring ulcers and ankylosis of the ankle. Dermo- and hypodermatitis and ulcers complicate less than 10% of chronic venous insufficiency but are responsible for most of the cost involved, two-thirds of which is linked to invalidity. Clinical grades of chronic venous insufficiency have been established, which should facilitate standardisation and comparison of epidemiological, pathophysiological and therapeutic data. Diagnosis of chronic venous insufficiency is by clinical examination, while etiological investigation should most often be done by technical investigation.
authors.affiliation: Unité d'angiologie, CHRU, hôpital du Bocage, Dijon.
authors.forename: F
authors.initials: F
authors.lastname: Becker
mesh_terms: D002908:Chronic Disease; D006801:Humans; D007866:Leg / Q000098:blood supply*; D012307:Risk Factors; D014689:Venous Insufficiency / Q000175:diagnosis* / Q000453:epidemiology / Q000503:physiopathology
vernacular_title: Mécanismes, épidémiologie et évaluation clinique de l'insuffisance veineuse des membres inférieurs.