Determinants of Lower Limb Varicose Veins Among Adults: An Unmatched Case–Control Study in Southern Ethiopia

Abstract Background: The etiology of varicose veins has only been partially understood and very little is known about the determinants of varicose veins among Ethiopian population. This study aims to identify determinants for the development of lower limb varicose veins in Ethiopia. This study aims to identify determinants of varicose veins among adult patients in Wolaita Sodo University's comprehensive specialized hospital. Methods: A facility-based unmatched case-control study was carried out at Wolaita Sodo University comprehensive specialized hospital among 354 study participants from August 1 to November 3, 2022. A systematic random sampling technique was used to select control groups. Data were entered using Epi data Version 4.6 and then analysis was carried out using SPSS Version 25. First descriptive statistics were computed to describe study participants. Then bivariate logistic regression analysis was used to identify candidate variables, those variables p- values < 0.25 were candidate variables for multivariate analysis. Finally, multivariable logistic regression analysis was carried out, and those variables p- value < 0.05 were declared as determinants of lower limb varicose veins. Results: Lifting heavy objects (AOR 5.53, 95% CI [1.99, 14.37]), smoking a cigarette (AOR 5.19, 95% CI [1.338, 20.14]), drinking water < 5 cups/day (AOR 4.49, 95% CI [1.435, 14.06]), irregularity of defecation (AOR 8.44, 95% CI [1.422, 50.15]), family history of the varicose vein (AOR 28, 95% CI [7.827, 100]), consumed dairy product (AOR 13, 95% CI [26.11, 68.28]). Additionally, consumed cereal foods (AOR 0.158, 95% CI [0.032, 0.787]) were determinants of lower limb varicose veins. Conclusions: In this study, smoking a cigarette, lifting a heavy object, consuming cereal food, consuming a dairy product, drinking less than 5 cups of water/day & irregularity of defecation in addition to this family history of varicose vein in first-degree relatives were determinants of lower limb varicose vein. These findings provide a basis to design an evidence-based low-cost strategy for the prevention of LLVV in the study area.