Prevalence estimates for CVI vary widely, depending on geographical region and diagnostic criteria.[3]Beebe-Dimmer JL, Pfeifer JR, Engle JS, et al. The epidemiology of chronic venous insufficiency and varicose veins. Ann Epidemiol. 2005 Mar;15(3):175-84.
http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/15723761?tool=bestpractice.com
[4]Salim S, Machin M, Patterson BO, et al. Global epidemiology of chronic venous disease: a systematic review with pooled prevalence analysis. Ann Surg. 2021 Dec 1;274(6):971-6.
http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/33214466?tool=bestpractice.com
[5]Rabe E, Régnier C, Goron F, et al. The prevalence, disease characteristics and treatment of chronic venous disease: an international web-based survey. J Comp Eff Res. 2020 Dec;9(17):1205-18.
https://becarispublishing.com/doi/10.2217/cer-2020-0158
http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/33079592?tool=bestpractice.com
[6]Homs-Romero E, Romero-Collado A, Verdú J, et al. Validity of chronic venous disease diagnoses and epidemiology using validated electronic health records from primary care: a real-world data analysis. J Nurs Scholarsh. 2021 May;53(3):296-305.
http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/33638608?tool=bestpractice.com
[7]Cesarone MR, Belcaro G, Nicolaides AN, et al. 'Real' epidemiology of varicose veins and chronic venous diseases: the San Valentino Vascular Screening Project. Angiology. 2002 Mar-Apr;53(2):119-30.
http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/11952101?tool=bestpractice.com
[8]Evans CJ, Fowkes FG, Ruckley CV, et al. Prevalence of varicose veins and chronic venous insufficiency in men and women in the general population: Edinburgh Vein Study. J Epidemiol Community Health. 1999 Mar;53(3):149-53.
https://jech.bmj.com/content/jech/53/3/149.full.pdf
http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/10396491?tool=bestpractice.com
In one systematic review, the estimated pooled prevalence was 8% for class C3 (oedema), 4% for class C4 (skin changes secondary to CVI), 1% for class C5 (healed venous ulcer), and 0.42% for class C6 (active venous ulcer).[4]Salim S, Machin M, Patterson BO, et al. Global epidemiology of chronic venous disease: a systematic review with pooled prevalence analysis. Ann Surg. 2021 Dec 1;274(6):971-6.
http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/33214466?tool=bestpractice.com
Common risk factors for chronic venous disease, and CVI, are increasing age, female sex, obesity, family history, and occupations with prolonged standing.