Lower Limb Varicose Veins among Nurses: A Single Center Cross-Sectional Study in Mansoura, Egypt.

BACKGROUND

Lower limb varicose veins are common among nurses due to occupational and nonoccupational risk factors.

AIMS: To estimate the prevalence of lower limbs varicosity and its associated risk factors.

SETTINGS AND

DESIGN

A cross-sectional descriptive study was carried out among 201 nurses at Mansoura University Hospital from January 1st to May 31st, 2018.

METHODS

A questionnaire was used to collect sociodemographic data, risk factors for varicose veins, and occupational details. Varicose veins were diagnosed by Doppler ultrasound.

STATISTICAL ANALYSIS: Univariate and logistic regression analyses were done.

RESULTS

The prevalence of varicose veins was 18.4%. Significant independent predictors are being ≥25 years old, working in emergency rooms and ICU/operative rooms, and using oral contraceptives with adjusted odds ratios [95% Confidence Interval (CI)] of [8.7 (2.6-28.4)], [10.8 (2.6-45.9)], [16.2 (3.9-67.4)], and [4.2 (1.3-13.2)], respectively.

CONCLUSIONS

Independent predictors, other than age, are modifiable and those with highest AOR are occupationally related.