ABSTRACT

Chronic venous disease is the most common vascular condition to affect the lower limb. It covers a wide range of conditions which can be broadly categorised as varicose veins, chronic venous insufficiency and venous ulcers. Venous disease is associated with a large burden of ill-health and it consumes a substantial amount of NHS resources. In the UK each year roughly half a million people consult their general practitioners about varicose veins and associated symptoms. Varicose veins are one of the most common conditions seen in surgical clinics, they make up a significant part of the elective surgery workload and they are responsible for a large proportion of patients on surgical waiting lists in NHS hospitals. Venous ulcer care is a major component of community nursing services. Venous disease has been a Cinderella area of health care, in terms of both research and treatment, though this situation is changing. Moreover, this situation has raised important questions about what conditions the NHS should treat.