[Varicosities of the lower extremities in workers in positions requiring continuous standing or sitting positions]

An epidemiological study of the prevalence of varicose veins of lower extremities was carried out in an industrial population of 434 men and 345 women. A statistically significant (p less than 0.05) association between the varicose disease and duration of work was found in all groups of workers, except for women sitting at work. Decrease in the prevalence of varicose veins after 20 years of employment may be explained at least partly, by the factor of self-selection in the industry. However, there was no difference in the prevalence of varicose veins between workers standing and those sitting at work.