How has the knowledge about the causes and treatment of venous diseases changed? What do Poles know about phlebology? Find out from an interview with prof. Walerian Staszkiewicz, president of the Polish Society of Phlebology dealing with diseases of the venous system.
What is the history of phlebology in Poland?
The history of treatmentof diseases of the veinsis as long as the history of mankind. Descriptions of the serious complications associated with chronic venous disease have long been known, and efforts to treat these ailments have been made all the time.
Activities focused mainly on attempts to eliminate the symptoms themselves, which were successful with varying, not always good, results. Thrombotic complications withinvaricose veins , one of the most common symptoms of chronic venous disease, was treated with various types of incisions, bloodletting, leeches, local dressings, compresses and compresses.
As our knowledge developed, this procedure began to be based on scientific facts, on research proving the effectiveness of diagnostic and therapeutic methods. Only then did the development of modernphlebologybegin, i.e. the science of diseases of the venous system.
What do Poles really know about phlebology and chronic venous disease?
I am sorry to say that not much. This is due to two reasons. First of all, diseases of the venous system are, unfortunately, treated a bit neglected when teaching medical students. This situation is also influenced by the fact that Poles are not taught that investing in their own he alth is a profitable investment. Our society is unaware that chronic venous disease is not just a cosmetic defect, but a serious disease.
The name of this disease has changed only in the last three years. Before that, we talked about chronic venous insufficiency, something classified far below the severity of the problem than the disease. Progress in phlebology has also been forced by economists and sociologists, because chronic venous disease is a huge economic problem. In European countries, treating these diseases consumes about 6-7% of the total he alth care budget. The importance of the problem is also evidenced by epidemiology, i.e. the spread of the disease. Research conducted in Poland, as well as data fromother countries say that more than 40% of women and more than 30% of men suffer from various problems related to diseases of the venous system. The most severe complications of chronic venous disease, thromboembolic complications and venous leg ulcers constitute a huge social and economic problem. Venous leg ulcers affect about 2-2.5% of the adult population and often affect active people. This causes them to be disabled at work and at home.
Sick people cannot actively participate in normal social life. Pain, a feeling of heaviness and fatigue affect the general well-being of patients. The changes that take place in the composition of the blood also affect the efficiency of other organs. Chronic venous disease affects the entire body, so it's not just a problem that affects only a small part of the human body.
What is the attitude of Poles towards chronic venous disease?
A large part of our society is convinced that this disability should simply be accepted. They believe that nothing can be done about these ailments. Other patients often become discouraged by the progressive and chronic nature of the disease. The effects of treatment often turn out to be lower than the expectations of these people.
Are GPs prepared to diagnose chronic venous disease and refer the patient to specialists?
Unfortunately, the education of general practitioners in this respect is quite low. The Polish Phlebological Society is trying to change this, but I am sorry to say that the interest of the doctors themselves is not too great. So far, no good he alth care system has been established in Poland that would provide patients and doctors with access to modern knowledge. However, since its inception, the Polish Society of Phlebology has been trying to expand the knowledge of doctors. We conduct various conferences and workshops. In Poland, the problem is access to modern diagnostics.
What are the goals of the action "Servier for the sake of veins" and what is its meaning?
First of all, it should be emphasized that such educational campaigns are very important and extremely necessary. We still lack reliable medical education in various fields, knowledge that would be passed on in an accessible, understandable form for people. We should make patients themselves interested in their he alth and treat it as an important part of their lives. Such social attitudes would force various pro-he alth measures on the organizers of the he alth care system. On the other hand, doctors who have daily contact with patients must be more sensitive and aware of how to properly recognize threatsassociated with diseases of the venous system. They should know who can be treated in the first contact office and who should be referred to a specialist.