ABSTRACT
Venous disorders in the legs are extremely common and can range from minor
asymptomatic incompetence of venous valves to severe chronic leg ulceration. In this
chapter on epidemiology, the frequency of varicose veins, asymptomatic venous
insufficiency, venous skin changes and chronic ulceration in the general population will
be described. Epidemiological evidence on risk factors for varicose veins and ulceration
will also be discussed.
