Epidemiological study on varicose veins in Budapest.

Objective: To analyse the prevalence and risk factors of varicose veins and chronic venous disease in Budapest.

Method: Data were collected using a questionnaire, as well as by performing physical and Doppler ultrasound examination of 566 adult inhabitants of Budapest and some neighbouring villages.

Results: The prevalence of lower-extremity varicose veins was 57.1% in the study population. Verified risk factors include advancing age, pregnancy, jobs requiring a lot of standing, blue-collar work and excess body weight. Neither female gender nor the use of oral contraceptives or hormone replacement therapy was identified as a contributing factor.

Conclusion: Hungarian prevalence data and risk factors seem to be similar to other European countries.