Factors affecting the intensity of nurses’ lower limbs’ varicose veins in the hospitals of North Khorasan, Iran, in 2016

Varicose vein (VV) is known as the most prevalent venous disease which has many complications. Since this is a hard healing disease which imposes a large burden on individual and society, and also has high mortality, many studies begin to assess risk factors in their population. Methods & Materials: Participants were examined by a cardiovascular specialist and their VVs were graded by CEAP criteria. The patients filled a four-part researcher-made questionnaire of demography, occupation, quality of life (QOL), and lifestyle. Data were analyzed by SPSS software. We found that sex, age, pregnancy, child number, family history, standing, sitting, walking, weight, body mass index (BMI), overtime, and work experience have significant effects on VV intensity. Multiple logistic regression shows that standing (OR = 13.850), sitting (OR = 4.850), pregnancy (OR = 2.002), age (OR = 1.219), and overtime (OR = 1.029) are the most effective demographic and occupational factors. Age and sex adjusted demographic and occupational factors show that only pregnancy factor is affected. Life style factors show that physical activity (OR = 4.038), as well as weight control and nutrition (OR = 3.760) have significant effect on VV intensity. It is also found that symptoms intensity have significant relationship with VV intensity (OR = 4.048). It means that increasing VV intensity causes a 4-fold decrease of QOL. It is revealed that most of the effective factors on VV intensity are secondary factors which are preventable.