Therapeutic options and patterns of prescription in chronic venous disorders: results of a 3-year survey in Italy.
OBJECTIVE
To assess self-management of chronic venous disorders (CVDs) in a selected Italian population and the pattern of prescription by selected Italian phlebologists.


METHODS
Cross-sectional study carried out between 2003 and 2005.


METHODS
Non-random, transverse sample of men and women recruited by advertising.


METHODS
Assessment of therapeutic habits of respondents, treatment advice given by phlebologists related to socio-demographic variables and severity of the disease. Multivariate odds ratios for sex, age, class, region, family history and severity of the disease.


RESULTS
Women undergo CVD therapy more than men (odds ratio (OR): 2.37 for medical treatment; 1.29 for surgical treatment and 5.72 for sclerotherapy). Young people prefer drug treatment to compression stockings. Drug therapy for CVD is 1.5 times more likely in southern Italian respondents, as is compression stockings (OR: 1.91). Surgical therapy is more frequent in Northern Italy (OR for Central Italy: 0.79; Southern Italy and Islands: 0.76). Family history of CVD leads people to early treatment of symptoms.


CONCLUSIONS
This study provides insight into self-medication of CVD in Italy and the prescribing patterns of Italian phlebologists in the treatment of CVD. It shows that the population interviewed is able to practise responsible self-medication of their CVD problems.
Marone
E M
EM
IRCCS H. San Raffaele University, Vita-Salute University, Milan, Italy. marone.enrico@hsr.it
Volonté
M
M
Limoni
C
C
Petrini
O
O
Chiesa
R
R
D000328:Adult; D000367:Age Factors; D002317:Cardiovascular Agents / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D002908:Chronic Disease; D003430:Cross-Sectional Studies; D011307:Drug Prescriptions; D004363:Drug Utilization; D005260:Female; D019538:Health Care Surveys; D007722:Health Knowledge, Attitudes, Practice; D006801:Humans; D007558:Italy / Q000453:epidemiology; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D016017:Odds Ratio; D017060:Patient Satisfaction; D017410:Practice Guidelines as Topic; D010818:Practice Patterns, Physicians' / Q000706:statistics & numerical data; D012111:Residence Characteristics; D015911:Sclerotherapy / Q000706:statistics & numerical data; D012648:Self Care / Q000706:statistics & numerical data; D012737:Sex Factors; D053828:Stockings, Compression / Q000706:statistics & numerical data; D013997:Time Factors; D014652:Vascular Diseases / Q000453:epidemiology / Q000628:therapy*; D014656:Vascular Surgical Procedures / Q000706:statistics & numerical data; D014680:Veins
D002317:Cardiovascular Agents