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- Title
Chronic venous disorders and occupation.
- Authors
Tomei, Francesco; Baccolo, Tiziana Paola; Tomao, Enrico; Palmi, Silvana; Rosati, Maria Valeria
- Abstract
Background Chronic venous disorders in the general population are a significant socio-medical pathology. The importance and role of venous pathologies in the occupational field are underestimated and the data in the literature are incomplete and contradictory. Methods A study was made of 336 male workers: 112 industry workers, 120 stoneworkers, and 104 office workers. A targeted questionnaire was administered to all workers regarding occupational and extraoccupational risk factors for venous pathologies. The same workers were clinically examined, and a venous check-up and specific tests were done in clinostatic and orthostatic postures. Results The prevalence of chronic venous disorders, including major and minor pathology, was significantly higher among industrial workers (39.28%) than among stoneworkers (24.16%, P=.019) and office workers (22.11%, P=.010). Only for major pathology was the mean age higher in phlebopathic workers than in non-phlebopathic; furthermore, the proportion of workers standing for ≥50% of the work shift was higher in phlebopathic than in non-phlebopathic. These differences were significant in all working groups. The results showed a positive relationship between the prevalence of phlebopathy and increased age and number of hours spent standing. Considering workers of the same age classes, a higher prevalence of phlebopathy was found between those who stood for ≥50% of their shift and those who stood for <50% of the time. Conclusions The results suggest that professions involving standing, particularly for those standing for ≥50% of the shift, can influence the development of chronic venous disorders and a diagnostic clinical protocol to be used by occupational physicians in screening working populations for the prevention of venous disease is suggested. Am. J. Ind. Med. 36:653-665, 1999. © 1999 Wiley-Liss, Inc.
- Publication
American Journal of Industrial Medicine, 1999, Vol 36, Issue 6, p653
- ISSN
0271-3586
- Publication type
Article
- DOI
10.1002/(SICI)1097-0274(199912)36:6<653::AID-AJIM8>3.0.CO;2-P