Tall people may be more prone to varicose veins

(Reuters Health) – A large genetic study suggests that people at risk of developing varicose veins are more numerous than others.

Varicose veins are twisted and swollen veins that can be seen just below the surface of the skin, usually in the legs. More than 30 million people in the United States have varicose veins. Although this condition is often considered merely a cosmetic nuisance, it can cause moderate pain and has been associated with the more serious side effects of deep vein thrombosis or blood clots in the deep veins of the body.

For this study, researchers analyzed data from nearly 500,000 people participating in the long-term UK biobank study, looking for characteristics associated with risk of varicose veins and height as a potent risk factor and independent.

They then analyzed the genome of several hundred thousand people and identified 30 genetic locations, many of which involved in skeletal and blood vessel development, suggesting that size may be a direct cause of varicose veins.

"We still do not know why size is such an important risk factor for varicose veins," said Dr. Nicholas Leeper, lead author of the study, from Stanford University in California.

"It can simply be a matter of plumbing and gravity, with tall people under higher pressures in their veins, forcing them to enlarge and dilate." Leeper said by e-mail. "On the other hand, the genetic studies we conducted have shown that size is not only associated with a disease, but also seems to be the cause – an important distinction because the genes that regulate human size could play a role in the structure and integrity of the veins. "

The analysis used machine learning to search the data of participants in the biobank for patterns linking varicose veins to other traits and confirmed that well-known risk factors, including age, women , overweight or pregnancy, or a history of deep vein thrombosis, were all associated with varicose veins.

Leg surgery, family history, lack of movement, smoking and hormone therapy are also risk factors for varicose veins, confirmed the study.

But the connection between height and varicose veins was new and unexpected.

Comparing the highest 25% to the shortest, the analysis showed that the higher ones had a 74% higher risk of varicose veins, according to Circulation results.

In addition, researchers searched for genetic markers associated with varicose veins in 337,536 people, 9,577 of whom had varicose vein disease. The resulting 30 sites on the genome provide researchers with new avenues to explore the mechanisms involved in the development and risk of varicose veins, the authors note.

One of the limitations of the study is that participants in the British Biobank may not reflect what would happen in populations in other parts of the world.

Nevertheless, it offers some of the most comprehensive information to date on the environmental and biological factors that can influence the risk of varicose veins, said Dr. Quinn Wells of Vanderbilt University Medical Center in Nashville, Tennessee.

"Although the results of this study may not have an immediate impact on patient care, understanding these factors is the first step toward developing effective interventions for the prevention and treatment of varicose veins." said Wells, who wrote an accompanying editorial, by email.

Generally, people can help prevent varicose veins by maintaining a healthy weight and exercising to improve muscle strength and circulation, Wells said.

"People should also avoid uninterrupted periods of standing or sitting and, if prolonged standing is unavoidable (for example, for a job), they might consider wearing compression stockings to prevent the blood from getting stuck. accumulate in the legs, "said Wells. "Once varicose veins develop, the measures above can help prevent them from getting worse and help with discomfort."

SOURCE: bit.ly/2P7k4mm and bit.ly/2JDjwio Circulation, online 24 September 2018.