Public awareness of chronic venous disease in Korea

Abstract

Objective: This study aimed to evaluate the current level of chronic venous disease (CVD) awareness and its relevant influencing factors.

Methods: Online and interview surveys were conducted in two distinct groups from May 14 to June 16, 2020. An online survey was conducted among 900 adults aged 20 to 64 years from the research database, whereas interviews were conducted among 124 patients who presented with CVD symptoms, which covered the awareness of such symptoms and their impact on quality of life.

Results: Most respondents reported low levels of CVD awareness by recognizing the disease only by an entity. In 53 respondents who visited the hospital with suspected venous symptoms, the actual diagnosis was made in only 30.2%. CVD diagnosis was associated with increased CVD awareness. Female sex, age of >29 years, higher educational level, and higher income were associated with increased CVD awareness. Approximately 60% of the patients with CVD responded that physical symptoms had a negative impact on their quality of life rather than emotion or appearance.

Conclusions: The public is largely unaware of CVD but not in detail. Educational programs to improve CVD awareness should be implemented to enable appropriate CVD management.

Keywords: Awareness; Chronic venous disease; Health knowledge; Quality of life; Risk factor; Varicose vein.