title: Epidemiology of chronic venous disorders in geographically diverse populations: results from the Vein Consult Program.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  The Vein Consult Program is an international, observational, prospective survey aiming to collect global epidemiological data on chronic venous disorders (CVD) based on the CEAP classification, and to identify CVD management worldwide. The survey was organized within the framework of ordinary consultations, with general practitioners (GPs) properly trained on the use of the CEAP classification.
  
  
  METHODS
  Screening for CVD was to be performed by enrolling in the survey all consecutive outpatients >18 years whatever the reason for consultation, to record patient's data and classify them according to the CEAP, from the stage C0s to C6. The program enrolled 6232 GPs 91545 subjects were analysed. Their mean age was 50.6±16.9 years, younger patients being in the Middle East and older ones in Europe, and the proportion of women was higher than that of men.
  
  
  RESULTS
  The worldwide prevalence of CVD was 83.6%: 63.9% of the subjects ranging C1 to C6, and 19.7% being C0s subjects. C0s patients were more frequently men whatever the age and the geographical zone. C1-C3 appeared to be more frequent among women whatever the country but the rate of severe stages (C4-C6) did not differ between men and women. GPs consider CVD subjects as patients eligible to specialist referral beginning from C2 but some geographical disparities were observed.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  The VCP survey provides reliable results on CVD global epidemiology and shows that CVD affects a significant part of the populations worldwide, underlining the importance of adequate screening for CVD and training of both GPs and specialist physicians.
authors.affiliation: Department of Dermatology, University of Bonn, Bonn, Germany. eberhard.rabe@ukb.uni-bonn.de
authors.forename: E
authors.initials: E
authors.lastname: Rabe
authors.forename: J J
authors.initials: JJ
authors.lastname: Guex
authors.forename: A
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Puskas
authors.forename: A
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Scuderi
authors.forename: F
authors.initials: F
authors.lastname: Fernandez Quesada
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D017677:Age Distribution; D000368:Aged; D002908:Chronic Disease; D005060:Europe / Q000453:epidemiology; D005202:Asia, Eastern / Q000453:epidemiology; D005260:Female; D058006:General Practice; D006306:Health Surveys; D006801:Humans; D007843:Latin America / Q000453:epidemiology; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D008877:Middle East / Q000453:epidemiology; D015995:Prevalence; D011379:Prognosis; D011446:Prospective Studies; D012017:Referral and Consultation / Q000706:statistics & numerical data*; D012111:Residence Characteristics / Q000706:statistics & numerical data*; D012720:Severity of Illness Index; D017678:Sex Distribution; D013997:Time Factors; D014648:Varicose Veins / Q000145:classification / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000453:epidemiology* / Q000628:therapy; D014689:Venous Insufficiency / Q000145:classification / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000453:epidemiology* / Q000628:therapy