W24 CAROTID INTIMA-MEDIA THICKNESS IS NOT INDEPENDENTLY PREDICTIVE FOR HARD CORONARY EVENTS IN MEN AND WOMEN – THE HEINZ NIXDORF RECALL STUDY

The aim was to study the association between venous disorders and leg symptoms in the population based cross sectional Bonn Vein Study 1 (BVS1).A total of 1,350 men and 1,722 women aged 18–79 years were enrolled into BVS1. Chronic venous insufficiency (CVI), varicose veins (VVs), and clinical classes (C-classes/CEAP [Clinical, Etiological, Anatomical, and Pathophysiological]) were determined by clinical and duplex investigation. Leg symptoms (heaviness, tightness, swelling, pain after standing or sitting, pain while walking, muscle cramps, itching, and restless legs) were assessed in a standardized interview. For 2,624 subjects (48.7% male) with complete information on venous disorders, relevant characteristics and information on at least one leg symptom, multivariate logistic regression analysis was performed.More women (929/63.0%) reported at least one leg symptom within the last 4 weeks than men (560/48.7%). Prevalence of reported symptoms increased with age (45.4% of the 18–29 year olds, 73.9% of the 70–79 year olds). Leg symptoms were more frequent in obese and underweight subjects. As confirmed by clinical and duplex examination 22.6% had VV and 15.8% had CVI. VV (OR: 1.4; CI: 1.1–1.7) and CVI (OR: 1.8; CI: 1.3–2.3) were significantly associated with reporting at least one leg symptom. In particular, there was a positive association of VV and CVI with itching, feeling of heaviness, tightness, swelling, and pain after standing or sitting. C2–C6 showed a statistically significant association with feeling of heaviness, tightness, swelling, and itching, while for pain on walking and muscle cramps this was shifted towards C classes C3–C6 and C3–C4, respectively.Venous disorders show significant associations with several leg symptoms. Itching, feeling of heaviness, or tightness seem to be more closely related than other symptoms. The associations between C classes and symptoms seem to be restricted to classes C2 or higher.