Effectiveness of treatment of varicose veins assessed by epidemiological comparative studies]

Effectiveness of varicose veins (VV) management, due to high prevalence of this condition, is an important medical, social and economical issue. The aim of the study was to compare cost effectiveness of VV treatment by comparison of the results of two epidemiological surveys performed in Warsaw Bródno population, in 1982-1984 (group I, n=4997) and 1998-2000 (group 11, n=3556). Analysis compared prevalence of varicose veins, venous ulcers, deep vein thrombosis (DVT) in relation to number of VV procedures performed, and cost of conservative and surgical treatment, subjective patients' assessment of treatment results. Varicose veins prevalence has not changed significantly in group I was 15.7% (men 9.3%, women 20.1%) vs. 13.7% (men 8.7%, women 15.9%) in group II. Similarly, prevalence of venous ulcers (0.76% vs 0.73%), and previous DVT among VV patients (8.9% vs 8.9%) have not changed in both groups. Percentage of patients treated surgically in relation to all VV patients (19.7% vs 26.1%), as well as treated conservatively (45.2% vs 48.8%) increased, the latter mainly due to significant increase of ratio of patients treated with phlebotropic drugs. Patients'assessment of conservative and surgical treatment has improved dramatically, cost of treatment remained similar. Despite significant surgical and conservative treatment efforts, prevalence of essential venous diseases in hospital catchment area remained unchanged. Amount of patients satisfied both with surgical and conservative treatment increased, perhaps mainly due to better efficacy of phlebotropic drugs and better access to specialist care. On the other hand, significant amount of patients doesn't start any treatment at all. We conclude that preventive varicose veins surgery during early stage of disease may not diminish prevalence of serious venous complications.