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Background:
Women in nursing professions are at high risk for developing varicose veins as it requires physical work and prolonged standing. The aim of the study is to estimate the current prevalence of varicose veins among nurses at Dhulikhel Hospital and assess its risk factors.
Methods:
A cross sectional study was carried out among 181 female...
Contexts in source publication
Context 1
... departments, surgery ward, and critical care units also had higher prevalence compared to pediatrics ward, medicine ward and orthopedics ward. Figure 2 displays the prevalence of varicose veins among the nurses within each hour spent standing per day (dose response relationship). The prevalence is markedly increased in the nurses with long standing hours. ...
Context 2
... surgery ward, and critical care units also had higher prevalence compared to pediatrics ward, medicine ward and orthopedics ward. Figure 2 displays the prevalence of varicose veins among the nurses within each hour spent standing per day (dose response relationship). The prevalence is markedly increased in the nurses with long standing hours. (Fig. 2). Table 3 presents the factors associated with varicose veins among the participant nurses. The odds of having varicose veins is 27 times greater with every 1 hour increase in standing time after adjusting for age, BMI, marital status, parity, education, bowel habit, family history, work experience, time spent on standing, time spent on ...
Citations
... The overall prevalence of varicose veins among these nurses was 83 (46%). 12 However, in our study, the majority of participants were between the ages of 23 to 31. Regarding anthropometric measurements, most study participants fell within the normal BMI category. ...
Introduction Millions of individuals worldwide spend significant portions of their workdays standing or in static positions, which can pose health risks such as varicose veins. Globally, varicose vein prevalence ranges from 20 to 60%, with women being at two to three times higher risk compared to men. Varicose veins are characterized by dilated, palpable veins with a diameter larger than 3 mm. Nurses face a 16% risk of developing varicose veins, highlighting the importance of health care professionals' well-being for the effective functioning of the health care system. Therefore, this study aimed to provide insights into the prevalence of varicose vein symptoms among nurses.
Methods A descriptive prospective study was conducted among 210 nurses with more than 1 year of experience, using purposive sampling. Demographic information and varicose vein symptoms were collected through a self-designed questionnaire. Descriptive statistics were employed for data analysis.
Results The study found that 8.6% of nurses were diagnosed with varicose veins. The majority of participants were female (97.6%) with a normal body mass index (86.7%). Prevalent symptoms included worsened leg pain (77.6%), night cramps (62.4%), and throbbing in lower legs (37.6%). Visible spider veins (19.5%) and other symptoms were reported less frequently.
Conclusion A lower prevalence of varicose veins among nurses was identified, possibly due to demographic factors of the study population. It is recommended to conduct health education campaigns tailored for health care professionals, particularly nurses, and implement regular health checkups to screen for varicose veins. These proactive measures are essential for promoting occupational health and ensuring the well-being of the nursing workforce.
... In another study conducted on nurses, the prevalence of venous insufficiency by gender was determined to be 88.2% among female nurses and 11.8% among male nurses [10]. In a study on 181 nurses conducted by Shakya et al. (2020) [11], 46% had varicose veins, with a significant relationship between an increase in the standing time of the nurses and the incidence of varicose veins. ...
... In another study conducted on nurses, the prevalence of venous insufficiency by gender was determined to be 88.2% among female nurses and 11.8% among male nurses [10]. In a study on 181 nurses conducted by Shakya et al. (2020) [11], 46% had varicose veins, with a significant relationship between an increase in the standing time of the nurses and the incidence of varicose veins. ...
Background and Objectives: Chronic venous insufficiency negatively affects the quality of life and reduces the job performance of nurses, who are important components of the healthcare system. The aim of this study was to assess the risk factors of venous insufficiency according to demographic characteristics among nurses working at a foundation university hospital. Materials and Methods: This study used an analytical cross-sectional approach. The sample consisted of 100 nurses working at a foundation university hospital in a metropolitan city of Turkey. Data were collected using a demographic characteristics form, VEINESQOL/Sym, and a CEAP classification form. The condition of varicose veins among the nurses was diagnosed by a cardiovascular surgeon using Doppler ultrasonography. Results: The prevalence of chronic venous insufficiency (CVI) among nurses was 65%, with 48% at a C1 level according to the CEAP classification. CVI was higher among those with chronic diseases (p = 0.027) and those who had pregnancy (p = 0.021). In addition, the risk of CVI (+) was 7.68 times higher among those aged older than 26.5 years and 36.14 times higher for women (p < 0.001). A 0.9-fold increase in the risk of CVI (+) among nurses produced a one-unit decrease in venous-insufficiency-related quality of life (p = 0.006, OR = 0.94, 95% CI:(0.896–0.982)). Conclusions: The prevalence of CVI among nurses was found to be high, especially among women, those with chronic diseases, and pregnant individuals. In this context, it is recommended to implement risk screening and prevention education programs for CVI among nurses.
... Only 12% of cases underwent perforator ligation. On the contrary in the study by Karmacharya et al Perforator ligation was done in 62% of patients (16). In a study by Karmacharya et al, the outcome of surgical management of varicose veins with and without venous stripping was compared. ...
... In a study by Karmacharya et al, the outcome of surgical management of varicose veins with and without venous stripping was compared. He concluded that total hospital admission days, pain-free days attained and days in which patients were able to walk normally were signicantly lesser in which stripping was not performed (16). ...
ackground: Varicose veins of the lower extremities are the most common peripheral vascular disease and their treatment is as old as mankind.This prospective clinical study of varicose veins was conducted to assess clinical grade, an indication of surgery at the time of presentation, andoutcomes of surgery in terms of symptom relief and short-term complications. Prospective study was conducted in our institution fromMethods:July 2018 to July 2019 and 60 patients with varicose veins were studied. With a total of 83 limbs. Clinical grade at the time of presentation, theindication of surgery, surgery performed, and the outcome was noted. Out of 60 patients 77% were males with middle age being theResults:commonest. Unilateral presentation (62%) was more common than bilateral presentation (38%).57% of patients had an occupation history ofprolonged standing. Dull aching pain was the most common presenting complaint. 32% of cases had skin changes or venous ulcers. The mostcommon surgery was a SFJ ligation. About 68% of patients were satised,12% of patients were somewhat satised & 20% of patients were notsatised with their surgery. Duration of hospital stay was signicantly higher (9.5 days) in ulcers as compared to patients without ulcers (3 days).Conclusions: Most patients were in 2nd or 3rd decade of life with cosmesis and physical tness being their main considerations. Patients withbilateral disease can be operated on in a single sitting without any added morbidity. The most commonly done operation is either a SFJ ligation ormultiple phlebectomy or a combination of the two
(PDF) INDICATIONS AND OUTCOMES OF SURGERY IN VARICOSE VEINS -A PROSPECTIVE OBSERVATIONAL STUDY. Available from: https://www.researchgate.net/publication/383665927_INDICATIONS_AND_OUTCOMES_OF_SURGERY_IN_VARICOSE_VEINS_-A_PROSPECTIVE_OBSERVATIONAL_STUDY [accessed Mar 13 2025].
... The prevalence of varicose vein disease varies worldwide, with an incidence rate ranging from 20 to 60% (Shakya et al., 2020). Additional research findings suggest that varicose vein disease in particular geographic areas, such as Iran, could potentially be as high as 73% among individuals employed in high-risk occupations like those in the healthcare sector (Aslam et al., 2022) and armed forces (Alekseev and Belousov, 2020). ...
Developing sustainable and effective treatments for chronic venous insufficiency (CVI) is crucial. In this study, we propose an innovative restorative approach utilizing hydrogels derived from the decellularized extracellular matrix (dECM) of cadaveric vascular tissues, adipose-derived stem cells (ADSCs), and gold nanoparticles (AuNPs). This therapeutic method leverages waste valorization by repurposing discarded cadaveric tissues from slaughterhouse livestock. The dECM hydrogels, enriched with ADSCs and AuNPs, offer a biocompatible scaffold that supports cellular differentiation and vascular integrity. Our approach addresses the limitations of current allo-, auto-, and xenograft methods by enhancing integration and functionality while potentially reducing costs through sustainable practices. This study explores functionalized hydrogel formulation solely generated from agri-food waste, gelation mechanisms, and preliminary cost-effectiveness, presenting a promising new avenue for treating early-stage varicose veins that can ultimately be translated to human models using discarded tissues.
... Ultimately, 25 publications were included in the analysis. The 25 identified studies are listed in Table I [6,7,8,9,10,11,12,13,14,15,16,17,18,19,20,21,22,23,24,25,26,27,28,29,30]. They include smaller studies with fewer than one hundred subjects, as well as registries with several hundred thousand participants. ...
... Standing, especially for more than 4-6 hours per day at work was assessed as an independent risk factor for the development of CVD in most studies ( Figure 2) [7,9,10,11,12,14,17,18,19,20,22,27,28]. ...
Forced postures are common in the workplace. Work in the primary economic sector is characterised by a high degree of physical activity and movement; however, activities in the secondary and tertiary sectors commonly require workers to stand or sit. An expansion of the tertiary sector in recent decades has meant that people in industrialised and emerging economies primarily sit or stand at work. The aim of the systematic review was to identify occupational factors relating to the presence of chronic venous disease (CVD), to place these in the context of developments in the workplace, and to determine whether measures are in place to prevent CVD. We performed a systematic literature review to analyse studies assessing work-related risk factors for CVD. We searched for publications in the PubMed database, the clinic library of BG Hospital Bergmannstrost Halle, and the registry of the German Statutory Accident Insurance. Using occupation-specific keyword combinations, we identified 27,522 publications. The publications underwent an automatic and manual filtering process according to the PRISMA guidelines and 81 publications qualified for the review. Ultimately 25 studies were included in the systematic review. All of the subjects of the studies worked in the secondary and tertiary sectors. No studies looked at the relationship between venous disorders and primary sector occupations. Standing at work for more than four hours a day, repeated heavy lifting, and cumulative time working in a sitting or standing position are risk factors for the development of CVD. Sitting is less of a risk factor than standing or walking. Occupational history and the patient's activity profile are important diagnostic tools which can help confirm a diagnosis and justify treatment when findings are inconsistent. Compression therapy is the primary form of secondary and tertiary prevention. There continues to be a lack of primary preventive measures related to workplace design.
... This compression may cause increased local intravenous pressure and blood stasis, leading to venous dilation. However, given the patient's gender and nursing profession-both risk factors-it is also plausible that an underlying chronic venous insufficiency is associated (Aslam et al., 2022;Shakya et al., 2020). ...
Hereditary multiple exostosis (HME) is a rare genetic disorder characterized by multiple bony spurs or lumps, commonly affecting the long bones. This case report exposes the clinical presentation, diagnosis, and management of HME in a 28-year-old female nurse, who initially presented with persistent bilateral knee pain. After extensive evaluation involving orthopaedic and oncology specialists, the diagnosis of HME was made. Despite the discovery of multiple exostoses, the patient reported improvement following a tailored physiotherapy regimen. This case study underscores the complexity and broad spectrum of symptoms associated with HME. It emphasizes the importance of a multidisciplinary approach in diagnosing and managing such conditions, which can lead to better patient outcomes and an improved quality of life. By shedding light on the role of physiotherapy in managing rare genetic disorders such as HME, this case report contributes to the growing body of literature exploring noninvasive treatment options for these diseases.
... A dilation of 3 to 4 mm in the subcutaneous veins indicates the presence of VVs [3]. There are various types of vein disorders, such as reticular, telangiectasia, and trunk veins [4]. VVs can lead to aesthetic concerns and pain in the affected limbs, often necessitating surgery or other costly treatments that strain healthcare budgets [5]. ...
Background
Varicose veins (VVs), which are characterized by visible, convoluted veins in the lower limbs, are a prevalent disorder that afflicts a substantial portion of the population. The purpose of this cross-sectional study was to look at the prevalence and risk factors for VVs among surgeons and operating room personnel at Buraidah Central Hospital in Saudi Arabia. They usually become worse over time once they develop, which highlights the importance of early intervention and preventive actions.
Methodology
Data from 91 participants were collected from diverse healthcare professionals between August 2023 and September 2023 via an online questionnaire covering demographics, health, and occupational factors. The chi-square and Fisher's exact tests were employed to examine the correlation between these variables and the occurrence of VVs.
Results
The data analysis revealed that several specific factors displayed notable associations. Occupations as Surgical Physicians, OR Staff, or Nurse (p=0.009), the number of days worked in the operating room (p=0.040), the role in the operating room, especially those mainly standing (p=0.001), contraceptive pill usage (p=0.000), and vaginal delivery (p=0.037) displayed statistically significant relationships with VVs. In contrast, factors like gender, age group, ethnicity, family history of VVs, social status, smoking habits, exercise frequency, BMI, lifting heavy objects, and years in the field did not reveal substantial associations with VVs, as indicated by p-values exceeding 0.05.
Conclusion
The study identified a low VV diagnosis prevalence, with an equal distribution among male and female respondents. Key factors that contribute to the risk of developing VVs include the number of days worked in the operating room, the role in the operating room, a family history of VVs, contraceptive pill usage, and the method of delivery.
... Prevention can be done by elevating legs above the level of heart for several minutes throughout a day, walking every day to build calf muscle helps to relieve symptoms, maintaining body weight by eating healthy foods, keeping legs moving, flexing ankles timely while sitting at desk to keep the blood pumping, wearing compression stockings will support and aid the valves to keep the blood pumping out of legs etc [3]. Nursing profession is perceived as a high-risk occupation; in which positions such as long-time standing and sitting and grueling physical states are inevitable during the work [4]. ...
Background: Varicose vein (VV) is a common problem that mostly occurs in legs. This medical condition can influence the quality of life and working condition of nurses. Aim of the study: To estimate the prevalence of lower limbs varicosity and its associated risk factors among nurses. Methods: This a cross-sectional descriptive study was carried out among 100 nurses working Baghdad Teaching Hospital, Surgical Specialties Hospital, and Al- Kidney Teaching Hospital, Baghdad, Iraq from January 1st to May 10th, 2022. The participants were recruited in the study using systematic random sampling. The Occupational Sitting and Physical Activity and Aberdeen Varicose Vein Questionnaires were used for data gathering. Results: The prevalence of varicose veins was estimated to be (48%) of the sample. There are a significant association between (age, prolonged standing, body mass index and varicose vein. Conclusion: The prevalence of VV among the nurses working in Baghdad teaching hospitals was high, and many factors showed a significant relation with this problem. Nurses should be informed about preventive measures and treatments for this medical condition.
... In an Iranian study that had nurses with ≥2 years of service from three general hospitals, it was concluded that varicose veins were prevalent in varying degrees in 72.4% of the nurses, with a higher incidence in women than men [14]. Standing for long periods of time was found to be a strong risk factor for varicose veins in 46% of nurses at Nepal's Dhulikhel hospital, with the highest prevalence in the teaching faculty and the lowest in the orthopedic ward [15]. In India, a study evaluated the risk of varicose veins in nurses working in the ICU and other departments. ...
... It consists of 23 questions, and point scores (correct answer was given a score of 1 and the wrong answer was given a score of 0) were assigned to each question. The total maximum score was 23, and the levels of the scores were categorized as low (score 1-7), moderate (score [8][9][10][11][12][13][14][15][16], and high (score 17-23). The physical examination was conducted by the same researcher after receiving training from a consultant vascular surgeon at KKUH. ...
... The Italian study had a small sample size and potential recall biases [10]. The diagnosis of varicose veins was self-reported, which could be a source of recall bias in the Riyadh and Dhulikhel hospitals [12,15]. Limited sample sizes could not verify cause and effect linkages in the Egyptian and Italian studies [10,13]. ...
This quantitative observational cross-sectional study assessed the prevalence and level of risk scores for varicose veins among nurses, and the association between varicose veins and sociodemographic, occupational, and lifestyle risk factors. Using simple random sampling, from August–December 2022, 250 nurses from different departments at King Khalid University Hospital completed a validated self-administered questionnaire and underwent an observational physical examination. Most nurses (191) had low-risk scores for varicose veins, 46 nurses had moderate-risk scores, and 13 nurses had high-risk scores. From the outpatient clinics, 61.5% of nurses had significant high-risk scores for varicose veins. Those with a statistically significant association had a family history of varicose veins (p < 0.001) and other chronic medical conditions (p = 0.04). Physical activity, especially race-walking/running (p = 0.006), showed a statistically significant association with the varicose veins score. The years as a staff nurse were statistically significant among the occupational risk factors (p = 0.003). The adjusted multivariable regression model showed three significant predictors: a positive family history, running/walking, and total years as a staff nurse (p < 0.001, p = 0.02, and p < 0.001, respectively). Nurses working at outpatient clinics, positive family history, years as a staff nurse, and other chronic conditions are risk factors for varicose veins, while race-walking/running is a protective factor.
... Heavy workloads, complex interpersonal relationships, negative stimulation due to the pain and death of patients, stress caused by worrying about errors and accidents [12] and physical and mental fatigue caused by frequent shift work [13] are all risk factors affecting the physical and mental health of nurses. In terms of physical health, nurses have an increased incidence of insomnia, obesity, stomach diseases, endocrine disorders, varicose veins and even breast cancer due to these risk factors [14][15][16][17][18]. In terms of mental health, nurses experience anxiety and depression due to changes in hospital units or departments, heavy workloads and long-term work in stressful and uncertain environments [19]. ...
... In addition, studies have shown that high job burnout and low health levels also increase the separation rate of nurses [21], which has an impact on hospital clinical nursing work. Compared with other populations [22], clinical nurses may have an increased number of poor lifestyle habits [13][14][15][16][17][18][19][20][21][22][23], such as an unreasonable diet and reduced physical activity levels, which makes them prone to various health problems [24]. ...
Background
Occupational health is essential for nurses in clinical nursing practice. However, there is no specific tool for measuring the health behaviour of clinical nurses in China. This study aimed to translate the Positive Health Behaviours Scale into Chinese and validate its psychometric properties among clinical nurses.
Design
A cross-sectional design with repeated measures.
Methods
A total of 633 clinical nurses were recruited by convenience sampling from hospitals in Liaoning Province, China. After obtaining the authorization of the original author, the PHBS was translated into Chinese by the Brislin back-translation method. Item analysis was completed to evaluate item discrimination, and the Delphi method was adopted to analyse content validity. Exploratory factor analysis and confirmatory factor analysis were conducted to explore and validate the underlying factor structure. Internal consistency and test-retest reliability were calculated to evaluate reliability.
Results
A total of 29 items were retained in the item analysis, and the content validity index of the translated scale was 0.956. In the EFA, four common factors were extracted (nutrition, physical activity, relaxation and behaviours related to mental health and preventive behaviours), explaining 60.81% of the total variance. The results of the CFA were as follows: χ²/df = 1.363, GFI = 0.902, NFI = 0.909, IFI = 0.974, TLI = 0.971, CFI = 0.974, RMSEA = 0.034, and RMR = 0.023. The results of the EFA and CFA showed that the translated scale had good structural validity. Cronbach’s α coefficient, the split-half reliability and the test-retest reliability of the Chinese version of the PHBS were 0.928, 0.953 and 0.891, respectively. At the same time, the translated scale had good reliability.
Conclusions
The Chinese version of the PHBS for clinical nurses had good psychometric properties. The results of the questionnaire survey effectively and comprehensively reflect the level of health behaviours in clinical nurses, which provides a scientific reference for determining the intervention target.
