Height as an Independent Risk Factor for Varicose Veins
Authors of a study published in the journal Circulation analyzing data from nearly half a million people found another risk factor for the development of varicose veins – a person's height. They further assessed the possible causal role in the development of this pathology.
Pain, Unsightliness, and Link to Venous Thrombosis
Varicose veins, spider veins, varices... All these terms refer to swollen, twisted veins of varying diameters that are often visible just under the skin of the lower limbs. According to recent estimates, around 10% of adult residents in the USA are affected, and it can be assumed that the prevalence of this problem in Europe is comparable due to similar lifestyle factors.
While varicose veins are generally considered relatively harmless, recent studies have shown a strong link to cardiovascular (CV) problems, particularly blood clots and venous thrombosis. Additionally, this condition is characterized by mild pain and often an unsightly appearance. A study conducted in the UK in collaboration with Stanford University in California examined the possible causes of varicose veins.
Analysis of Data from Half a Million People
The pathogenesis of varicose veins is believed to be multifactorial; however, our understanding of the genetic and environmental factors that contribute to them remains limited. Using machine learning and statistical methods, the authors evaluated data from nearly half a million individuals from the UK Biobank. A genome study was also conducted for nearly 340,000 individuals in this sample.
Findings
The study confirmed already known risk factors for varicose veins, such as age, gender, body weight, pregnancy, deep vein thrombosis, and identified another risk factor – height. Even after adjusting for potential confounding factors, the risk of varicose veins in individuals in the highest height quartile was 74% higher than in individuals in the lowest height quartile (hazard ratio [HR] 1.74; 95% CI 1.51–2.01; p < 0.0001). Additionally, the results showed that height has a causal relationship with the development of varicose veins (odds ratio [OR] 1.26; p = 2.07 × 10−16).
The research also represents the largest genetic study to date related to the presence of varicose veins. The findings provide a better understanding of the biological background of their occurrence. Thirty genes were found to be associated not only with the formation of varicose veins but also with deep vein thrombosis.
Conclusion
The authors noted that we know surprisingly little about the biology of such a common disease as varicose veins. Furthermore, there is no drug that can effectively prevent or treat them. The clinical and genetic risk factors identified by them could assist in the development of further treatments for chronic venous disease with varicose veins.
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Sources:
1. Fukaya E., Flores A. M., Lindholm D. et al. Clinical and genetic determinants of varicose veins. Circulation 2018; 138 (25): 2869–2880, doi: 10.1161/CIRCULATIONAHA.118.035584.
2. Sandoiu A. Your height may predict your risk of varicose veins. Medical News Today, 2018 Sep 26. Available at: www.medicalnewstoday.com/articles/323187
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