OBJECTIVE: With prevalence up to 40% in the adult population, chronic venous insufficiency (CVI) is one of the most common diseases in Poland. Only 13% of those affected currently receive any kind of treatment. This is the first study in Poland with the intention of demonstrating the cost of CVI. METHODS: A representative group of 1000 people over 18 years old was randomised, and 223 treated patients were questioned by an external agency *. All the data were collected with the help of a special resource utilisation questionnaire. Items measured included oral drugs, topical drugs, compression therapy, surgical and cosmetic interventions (sclerotherapy, operational procedures), diagnostic tests (including Doppler investigation) and hospitalisations. The value of social and family help, sick leave and early retirement due to CVI were also estimated (capital cost method). RESULTS: The average total cost per person per year from the study group was 952,94 PLN (1 EURO = 3,4517 PLN) with average direct costs of 233,39 PLN and average indirect costs of 719,54. The total burden of CVI in Poland in terms of direct medical costs may reach 6.500.000.000 PLN (24% of the total cost). The distribution of total costs per person in the investigated group is as follows: oral treatment, 37,93 PLN (4%); local treatment (ointments, gels, creams), 26,15 PLN (3%); compression therapy 11,52 PLN (1%); all surgical interventions 46,84 PLN (5%); hospitalisations (all wards) 110,95 PLN (12%); family and social help 466,50 PLN (49%); sick leave 108,15 PLN (11%); pensions 144,90 (15%). CONCLUSION: CVI represents a high economic burden for the Polish population. Among direct medical costs oral treatment and compression constitute only 21%, while the cost of hospitalisation is 48%. An early diagnosis, proper treatment and management of CVI leading to an optimal allocation of expenditures may contribute to a significant reduction of total costs of CVI in Poland. * PENTOR - Medical - Institute for Opinion and Market Research.