Abstract: Background: Varicose veins and their associated symptoms and complications constitute the most common chronic vascular disorders leading to surgical treatment.
Objective: to study the clinical features and socio-demography of varicose veins of lower limbs.
Setting: This was a prospective study involving 40 patients who presented with signs and symptoms of primary varicose veins to CG hospital and Bapuji hospital attached to J.J.M. Medical College, Davangere during June 2009 to May 2011.
Result: The commonest age group of over patients was between 31 to 40 yrs (27.5 %.). 33 were male and 07 were female. Right limb was more affected 19 cases (47.5%) than left limb 17 cases (42.5%). In 4 of the cases (10%), both the limbs were involved. 5 patients had family history of similar complaints (12.5%). Our patients presented with varied symptoms, out of which dilated veins was most common 37 (92.5%) patients followed by aching pain 22 patients (55%). Long saphenous system is the most common venous system affected by varicosity (64.7%). A greater portion of the patients had combined valvular incompetence (60%). The most common was the above ankle group with 24 followed by below knee with 21 cases.
Conclusion: It was concluded that varicosity of the lower limb is a fairly common clinical entity. Disease is prevalent in the young adult and middle aged individuals (21-40 years). The most common presenting symptom was dilated veins followed by aching pain.
