Risk factors for chronic venous insufficiency in nurses in Türkiye - NueVo TR
Authors:   Başkent University, Faculty of Medicine, Department of Cardiovascular Surgery, Ankara, Türkiye, Akay Hakki Tankut , Yavas Soner ,   Ankara City Hospital, Department of Cardiovascular Surgery, Ankara, Türkiye, Uguz Emrah ,   Ankara City Hospital, Department of Cardiovascular Surgery, Ankara, Türkiye, Sirlak Mustafa ,   Ankara University, Faculty of Medicine, Department of Cardiovascular Surgery, Ankara, Türkiye, Ozcinar Evren ,   Ankara University, School of Medicine, Department of Cardiovascular Surgery, Heart Center, Ankara, Türkiye, Yener Ali Umit ,   Antalya Training and Research Hospital, Department of Cardiovascular Surgery, Antalya, Türkiye, Yalcinkaya Adnan ,   Antalya Training and Research Hospital, Department of Cardiovascular Surgery, Antalya, Türkiye, Yavuz Senol ,   Bursa High Specialization Training and Research Hospital, Department of Cardiovascular Surgery, Bursa, Türkiye, Ozsin Kadir Kaan ,   Bursa High Specialization Training and Research Hospital, Department of Cardiovascular Surgery, Bursa, Türkiye, Kaygin Mehmet Ali ,   Erzurum City Hospital, Department of Cardiovascular Surgery, Erzurum, Türkiye, Aydin Unal ,   Mehmet Akif Ersoy Chest Cardiovascular Surgery Training and Research Hospital, İstanbul, Türkiye, Kisa Ugur ,   İstanbul Dr. Siyami Ersek Chest Cardiovascular Surgery Training Research Hospital, İstanbul, Türkiye, Polat Adil ,   İstanbul Bağcılar Training Research Hospital, Department of Cardiovascular Surgery, İstanbul, Türkiye, Kavala Ali Aycan ,   İstanbul Bakırköy Dr. Sadi Konuk Training Research Hospital, Department of Cardiovascular Surgery İstanbul, Türkiye, Oguz Emrah ,   Ege University, Faculty of Medicine, Department of Cardiovascular Surgery, İzmir, Türkiye, Calkavur Tanzer ,   Ege University, Faculty of Medicine, Department of Cardiovascular Surgery, İzmir, Türkiye, Yurekli Ismail ,   İzmir Katip Çelebi University, Atatürk Training and Research Hospital, Department of Cardiovascular Surgery, İzmir, Türkiye, Bayrak Serdar ,   Dokuz Eylül University, Department of Cardiovascular Surgery, İzmir, Türkiye, Tanyeli Omer ,   Necmettin Erbakan University, Meram Faculty of Medicine Hospital, Department of Cardiovascular Surgery, Konya, Türkiye, Tayfur Kaptaniderya ,   Ordu University Hospital, Department of Cardiovascular Surgery, Ordu, Türkiye, Usta Sefer ,   Ahi Evren Chest Cardiovascular Surgery Training and Research Hospital, Trabzon, Türkiye, Ozsoyler Ibrahim ,   Adana City Training Research Hospital, Department of Cardiovascular Surgery, Adana, Türkiye, Karaca Suat ,   Adana City Training Research Hospital, Department of Cardiovascular Surgery, Adana, Türkiye, Erdal Baris ,   Abdi ibrahim Pharmaceuticals Company, İstanbul, Türkiye, Erdil Nevzat ,   İnönü University, Turgut Ozal Medical Center, Department of Cardiovascular Surgery, Malatya, Türkiye
Published: March 2024

Aim: Chronic venous insufficiency (CVI) is a condition that results from obstruction, valve insufficiency, dysfunction of calf muscle pump, or their combinations. This study analyzed the risk factors and demographic characteristics of CVI in nurses in Türkiye. Additionally, it seeks to identify the total number of patients treated at medical centers in 2022 and assess the prevalence of CVI. Material and Methods: This multicenter, descriptive, and cross-sectional study was conducted with the participation of nurses working in 18 centers. Nurses completed a questionnaire that included their demographic information and venous insufficiency risk factors, and the Venous Insufficiency Epidemiological and Economic Study-Quality of Life Questionnaire. Researchers also completed the Standard CEAP Form Section C. The cases were divided into 2 groups: CVI (-) group (n=776, 43.5%) and CVI (+) group (n=1010, 56.5%). Results: A total of 1786 nurses participated in this study. Older age (>30-39 years), female gender, ≥2 pregnancies, ≥2 childbirths, years in the profession (>5-15 years), family history, and night cramps were identified as risk factors for CVI (p<0.001). No significant difference was found between smoking, body mass index, and CVI status (p>0.05). Hypertension, diabetes, and a history of deep vein thrombosis were the most common coexisting diseases. With a one-unit increase in age, risk of CVI increased 1.1-fold, family history of VV increased CVI risk 1.9-fold and presence of nocturnal night cramps increased risk of CVI 2.6-fold. The prevalence of CVI in 2022 was found to be 22.66% in this study. Conclusion: Older age, female gender, ≥2 pregnancies, ≥2 childbirths, years in the profession, family history, and night cramps are identified as risk factors for CVI in nurses. Common comorbid diseases include hypertension, diabetes, and a history of DVT. Pregnancy, particularly with multiple occurrences, stands out as a critical period for CVI. Reported symptoms in CVI (+) nurses include leg pain, swelling, heaviness, restless legs, and throbbing. Nurses demonstrate a higher incidence of CVI compared to other professions, highlighting an occupational risk. These findings stress the importance of preventive measures for nurses.