Summary

Aim: Determination of lifestyle and sex related riskfactors that contribute to higher prevalence of varicoseveins (VV) and chronic venous insufficiency (CVI) inwomen and establishment of a possible link betweenreported exposure to oral contraceptives (OC) and pre-valenceof VV and CVI. Methods: The Warsaw BrodnoVenous Population Survey was a cross-sectional study,conducted on a group of 2530 women. On the basisof a targeted questionnaire, medical records and clinicalinvestigation, sex, and lifestyle related risk factors wereidentified. Results: In women the prevalence of VV was15.9% and of CVI (C1-C6) 40.15%. Open ulcerationand healed ulceration were diagnosed in 0.51% and0.75%, respectively. Analysis of lifestyle and job relatedrisk factors for VV showed OR = 0.52 for sitting andOR = 1.56 for vertical lifestyle, and for CVI for officeworkers OR = 0.53 versus physical workers OR = 1.88.Women taking ever oral contraceptives and those whotook them for more than 5 years had a decreased riskof CVI: OR = 0.44 and OR = 0.36 respectively. For VVrisk OC intake demonstrated OR = 0.30 and OR =0.27, respectively. Conclusions: Oral contraception maybe inversely correlated with the prevalence of varicoseveins and chronic venous insufficiency, although thereasons for this finding require further elucidation. Wehave confirmed that vertical life style and physical work,pregnancy, family history of varicose veins increase therisk of VV and CVI.