title: Epidemiological study on chronic venous disease in Belgium and Luxembourg: prevalence, risk factors, and symptomatology.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  This epidemiological study measured the prevalence of chronic venous disease (CVD) in Belgium and Luxembourg. Possible risk factors and the symptomatology were evaluated.
  
  
  METHODS
  A survey was carried out in Belgium and Luxembourg between May and September 2013. Patient recruitment was carried out by 406 general practitioners (GPs). Each GP screened 10-20 consecutive patients older than 18 years, and in total 6009 patients were included. Patient characteristics, prevalence of risk factors, symptomatology, and C-classification were noted. The GPs diagnosed CVD and measured the need for treatment. Patients with diagnosed CVD completed a questionnaire about their history of leg problems and a quality of life score (CIVIQ-14). These data were converted into a CIVIQ Global Index Score (GIS).
  
  
  RESULTS
  The mean age of the patients was 53.4 years, and they were predominantly female (67.5%). Among the 3889 symptomatic patients, heavy legs, pain, and sensation of leg swelling were the most common complaints. Among the included patients, 61.3% of patients were classified within C1-C6; however, only 45.9% of these patients were considered by the GPs to be suffering CVD. Treatment was offered to 49.5% of patients. Age and female gender correlate with a higher C-class (p < .001). Patients with a higher C-class (C3-C6) have significantly more pain, sensation of swelling and burning, night cramps, itching, and the sensation of "pins and needles" in the legs. Patients taking regular exercise and without a family history had a lower C-class. Higher BMI, age, female gender, family history, history of thrombophlebitis, and a higher C-class correlated with a lower GIS (p < .001). Of the patients with CVD, 10.4% had lost days of work because of their venous leg problems.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  CVD is a very common disease, which is underestimated. The prevalence increases with age, generates incapacity to work, and worsens the patients' quality of life.
authors.affiliation: Department of Vascular Surgery, Sint-Andries Ziekenhuis Tielt, Belgium. Electronic address: marc.vuylsteke@iCloud.com.
authors.forename: M E
authors.initials: ME
authors.lastname: Vuylsteke
authors.affiliation: Department of Vascular Surgery, Universitaire Ziekenhuizen Leuven, Belgium.
authors.forename: S
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Thomis
authors.affiliation: Department of Cardiovascular and Thoracic Surgery, University Hospital Mont-Godinne, Belgium.
authors.forename: G
authors.initials: G
authors.lastname: Guillaume
authors.affiliation: Department of Vascular Surgery, CHR Haute Senne, Belgium.
authors.forename: M L
authors.initials: ML
authors.lastname: Modliszewski
authors.affiliation: Department of Vascular Surgery, CH Emile Mayrisch, Esch-sur-Alzette, Luxembourg.
authors.forename: N
authors.initials: N
authors.lastname: Weides
authors.affiliation: Department of Vascular Surgery, UZ Brussels, Belgium.
authors.forename: I
authors.initials: I
authors.lastname: Staelens
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D000367:Age Factors; D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D001530:Belgium / Q000453:epidemiology; D002908:Chronic Disease; D016021:Epidemiologic Studies; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D007866:Leg / Q000098:blood supply*; D008189:Luxembourg / Q000453:epidemiology; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D015995:Prevalence; D011788:Quality of Life; D012307:Risk Factors; D011795:Surveys and Questionnaires; D014652:Vascular Diseases / Q000453:epidemiology*
keywords: Chronic venous disease; Epidemiology; Risk factors; Symptomatology