Patterns of Reflux and Severity of Varicose Veins in the General Population – Edinburgh Vein Study

Objectives: several studies have used duplex ultrasound to assess valvular incompetence in symptomatic patients. This cross-sectional survey was performed to determine, for the first time in a general population sample, the relationship between trunk varices and the presence of reflux in lower limb venous segments. Materials and Methods: 1238 subjects (554 male, 684 female), aged 18–64 years, were randomly selected. The presence and severity of any trunk varices was assessed and classified into Grades 1–3; hyphenweb and reticular varices were noted. The presence or absence of reflux >0.5 s in five deep and three superficial venous segments in each leg was assessed using duplex ultrasound.Results: the prevalence of reflux increased in both superficial and deep segments with more severe grades of trunk varices (