The aetiology and influence of age and gender on the development of advanced chronic venous insufficiency in the population of patients of semi-urban county outpatient vascular clinic in Poland

Objective: To determine the aetiology and influence of age and gender on the development of advanced chronic venous insufficiency in patients of semi-urban county outpatient vascular clinic. Methods: One hundred and fourteen patients with venous ulcers were divided, based on the ultrasound examination, into group 1 or group 2, with or without post-thrombotic lesions in the deep venous system, respectively. The control group consisted of 352 patients with varicose veins and without leg ulceration. The demographic data and thrombotic risk factors were compared between the groups. Results: Group 1 patients (n = 109) were older than group 2 patients (n = 5) and control group patients, 64.7 versus 47.2 years (P = 0.016) and versus 53.8 years (P < 0.001), respectively. The percentage of women did not differ between group 1 and the control group, but was lower in group 2 (P = 0.01). The history of lower limb fracture or severe trauma increased the risk of post-thrombotic syndrome (PTS) in patients with venous ulcer. Conclusion: In the population studied, the venous leg ulcer develops mainly due to primary varicose veins and its risk increases with age and is equal for both sexes. PTS should be suspected in younger patients with a history of severe trauma or leg fracture.