The prevalence of varicocele in male patients with primary varicose vein of the lower extremity

Objective To study the correlation between male primary varicose vein of the lower extremity and varicocele. Methods 100 male patients with varicose vein of the lower extremity were compared with 100 male adults without varicose vein of the lower extremity for the prevalence of varicocele by using ultrasonography. Results There is no difference of demographic data between the two groups (t=1.78, P>0.05). There were 49 (49.0%) patients found with varicoele in study group compared with 19 (19.0%) patients with varicoele in control group (χ2=20.05, P 0.05, diameter P>0.05). In patients with both lower extremity varicose vein and varicocele there was a linear correlation between spermatic vein diameter and that of varicose vein (rs=0.407 2, P 0.05), nor the mean diameter of spermatic vein in different grades (F=1.59, P>0.05). Conclusion There is a correlation between varicose vein of the lower extremity and the pathogenesis of varicocele. Key words: Varicose veins; Varicocele; Prevalence