Early morning oedema in patients with primary varicose veins without trophic changes.
BACKGROUND
Chronic lower limb oedema is one of the complications of superficial or deep chronic venous disorders. It is ranked as "C3"on the CEAP classification. In epidemiological studies, the recognition of oedema is mainly based on clinical signs, and oedema is more easily detected in the second part of the day when it becomes evident. We addressed the question whether oedema is already present in the morning in patients suffering of primary varicose veins without trophic changes.


METHODS
In total, 101 patients with primary varicose veins (C2 and/or C3 stage of the CEAP classification) and 122 controls were enrolled as they appeared in our centre. The consultation time was no later than 6 hours after the patient had woken up. Oedema was detected by pitting test and ultrasound.


RESULTS
The mean consultation time lapse was 3.7 ± 1.2 hours after waking-up. Oedema was more frequent in the group of primary varicose veins without trophic changes (36 % compared to 14 % in the control group; p < 0.01). Oedema was mainly detected by ultrasound and far less so by the pitting test.


CONCLUSIONS
Patients with varicose veins have morning oedema more frequently than patients without varicosis and at a higher rate than in epidemiological studies.
1 Selurl Philangio, Grenoble, France.
Didier
D
Rastel
1 Selurl Philangio, Grenoble, France.
François-André
FA
Allaert
D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D016022:Case-Control Studies; D002940:Circadian Rhythm; D004487:Edema / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging / Q000209:etiology* / Q000503:physiopathology; D005260:Female; D005602:France; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D011237:Predictive Value of Tests; D012307:Risk Factors; D013997:Time Factors; D014463:Ultrasonography; D014648:Varicose Veins / Q000150:complications* / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000503:physiopathology; D055815:Young Adult
CEAP clinical class; Varicose veins; oedema