Standing at work and varicose veins.
OBJECTIVE
This study attempts to determine whether or not prolonged standing at work involves an excess risk for the occurrence of varicose veins.


METHODS
A cohort of 1.6 million 20-to-59-year-old Danes gainfully employed in 1991 were followed for 3 years according to first hospitalization due to varicose veins of the lower extremities. The exposure data came from a representative sample of the baseline population. Altogether 5940 people were interviewed about occupational exposure and confounding factors.


RESULTS
For men working mostly in a standing position, the risk ratio for varicose veins was 1.85 [95% confidence interval (95% CI) 1.33-2.36] in a comparison with all other men. The corresponding risk ratio for women was 2.63 (95% CI 2.25-3.02). The results were adjusted for age, social group, and smoking.


CONCLUSIONS
Working in a standing position is associated with subsequent hospitalization due to varicose veins for both men and women.
Tüchsen
F
F
Department of Surveillance and Epidemiology, National Institute of Occupational Health, Copenhagen, Denmark. ft@ami.dk
Krause
N
N
Hannerz
H
H
Burr
H
H
Kristensen
T S
TS
D000328:Adult; D000367:Age Factors; D003627:Data Interpretation, Statistical; D003718:Denmark / Q000453:epidemiology; D005260:Female; D005500:Follow-Up Studies; D006760:Hospitalization; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008498:Medical Record Linkage; D008875:Middle Aged; D009784:Occupational Diseases / Q000453:epidemiology* / Q000209:etiology; D016017:Odds Ratio; D011187:Posture; D011446:Prospective Studies; D012737:Sex Factors; D012907:Smoking / Q000009:adverse effects; D013997:Time Factors; D014648:Varicose Veins / Q000453:epidemiology* / Q000209:etiology; D014689:Venous Insufficiency / Q000453:epidemiology; D014937:Work