title: Varicocele in younger as risk factor for inguinal hernia and for chronic venous disease in older: preliminary results of a prospective cohort study.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  Varicocele, inguinal hernia, and chronic venous insufficiency are often associated. Varicocele has its maximum prevalence in younger age, whereas hernia and chronic venous disease appear later. The aim of this study was to analyze the relationship between these conditions.
  
  
  METHODS
  A prospective cohort study was conducted, consisting of two groups of male patients. Group A comprised patients with varicocele, whereas group B comprised those with problems other than varicocele. Both groups were followed over time and were assessed for the onset of signs and symptoms related to inguinal hernia and chronic venous disease.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Preliminary results showed a positive correlation between the presence of varicocele in younger and the possible risk of hernia and/or chronic venous disease in later age.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Preliminary results suggest that varicocele in younger age appears to be an early marker of progression for a connective tissue-related disease in later age.
authors.affiliation: Unit of Vascular Surgery, Department of Experimental and Clinical Medicine, University Magna Graecia of Catanzaro, Catanzaro, Italy. rserra@unicz.it
authors.forename: Raffaele
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: Serra
authors.forename: Gianluca
authors.initials: G
authors.lastname: Buffone
authors.forename: Giuseppe
authors.initials: G
authors.lastname: Costanzo
authors.forename: Rossella
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: Montemurro
authors.forename: Paolo
authors.initials: P
authors.lastname: Perri
authors.forename: Rocco
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: Damiano
authors.forename: Stefano
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: de Franciscis
mesh_terms: D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D000367:Age Factors; D002908:Chronic Disease; D018450:Disease Progression; D006552:Hernia, Inguinal / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000453:epidemiology*; D006801:Humans; D007558:Italy / Q000453:epidemiology; D008297:Male; D011237:Predictive Value of Tests; D011446:Prospective Studies; D018570:Risk Assessment; D012307:Risk Factors; D013997:Time Factors; D018615:Ultrasonography, Doppler, Color; D014646:Varicocele / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000453:epidemiology*; D014689:Venous Insufficiency / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000453:epidemiology*; D055815:Young Adult