Defining the human and health care costs of chronic venous insufficiency

• Published in: Seminars in vascular surgery Vol. 34; no. 1; pp. 59 - 64
• Main Authors: Kim, Young, Png, C.Y. Maximilian, Sumpio, Brandon J., DeCarlo, Charles S., Dua, Anahita
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: United States Elsevier Inc 01.03.2021
• Subjects: Age Factors; Budgets; Chronic Disease; Cost of Illness; Female; Health Care Costs; Healthcare Disparities - economics; Humans; Incidence; Male; Prevalence; Prognosis; Race Factors; Risk Assessment; Risk Factors; Sex Factors; Social Determinants of Health; Socioeconomic Factors; Surgery; United States - epidemiology; Venous Insufficiency - diagnosis; Venous Insufficiency - economics; Venous Insufficiency - epidemiology; Venous Insufficiency - therapy; United States
• ISSN: 0895-7967; 1558-4518; 1558-4518
• DOI: 10.1053/j.semvascsurg.2021.02.007

Chronic venous insufficiency (CVI) affects more than 25 million adults in the United States alone, and more 6 million with advanced stages of venous disease. The high incidence of CVI and the increasing costs of care, place a heavy financial burden on the US health care system. Recent studies estimate the total cost of care at more than $3 billion per year. These staggering numbers highlight the importance of timely diagnosis, treatment, and prevention of CVI. In this article, we review the epidemiology and prevalence of CVI, and its financial impact on national health care budget. Racial disparities in CVI and the impact of socioeconomic status on access to care are also discussed. Finally, we discuss CVI-related screening programs and the importance of preventative measures in venous disease.