Epidemiology

Epidemiology

The adult prevalence of visible varicose veins is between 30% and 50%. Factors a ff ecting prevalence include: /uni25CF Gender: the vast majority of studies report a higher preva - lence in women than in men, though community preva - lence may di ff er. /uni25CF Age: the prevalence of varicose veins increases with age. In the Edinburgh V ein Study , the prevalence of trunk vari - cosities in the age groups 18–24 years, 25–34 years, 35–44 years, 45–57 years and 55–64 years was 11.5%, 14.6%, 28.8%, 41.9% and 55.7%, respectively . /uni25CF Ethnicity: does seem to influence the prevalence of vari - cose veins. /uni25CF Body mass and height: increasing body mass index and height may be associated with a higher prevalence of vari - cose veins. /uni25CF Pregnancy: increases the risk of varicose veins. /uni25CF Family history: evidence supports familial susceptibility to varicose veins. /uni25CF Occupation and lifestyle factors: there is inconclusive evi - dence regarding increased prevalence of varicose veins in smokers, in patients who su ff er constipation and in those with occupations that involve prolonged standing.