An evaluation was made of the sensitivity, specificity, and predictive value of each of the traditional signs and symptoms of venous disease for each of the three categories of venous disease. Signs and symptoms evaluated included aching, itching, swelling and edema, heaviness, cramps, nocturnal restless legs, pigmentation, induration, ulcers, and the Trendelenburg test. Risk factors were evaluated for each of the above three categories-of venous disease. Risk factors assessed included age; sex; ethnicity; socioeconomic status; height; weight; obesity; exercise; blood pressure; standing versus sitting in daily activities; family history of venous disease; cigarette smoking; alcohol consumption; diet; constipation; constrictive clothing; aspirin use; use of selected other medications; history of hernia, flat feet, or other conditions associated with connective tissue laxity; parity; use of estrogens or progestins; age at menarche; age at menopause; and concomitant arterial disease. Finally, an evaluation was made of the degree of morbidity and interference with daily activities resulting from venous disease, using the Quality of Well Being (QWB) scale developed at University of California at San Diego.