Relationships between severity of signs and symptoms and quality of life in patients with chronic venous disease

BACKGROUND: Chronic venous disease (CVD) is progressive and has a high prevalence in the economically active population. Its impact on the quality of life of affected individuals is poorly understood. OBJECTIVE: To test for correlations between the CEAP classification of CVD severity and CVD symptoms and quality of life of affected individuals. METHODS: We investigated 91 lower limbs in 59 patients with CVD (CEAP C1- C6). Patients were assessed with a Visual Analogue Pain Scale (VAPS), the Venous Clinical Severity Score (VCSS) and the SF-36 quality-of-life questionnaire. Spearman correlation coefficients were calculated. RESULTS: There were positive correlations between the CEAP classification and scores for VAPS (0.815, p <0.000), VCSS (0.937, p <0.000), and SF-36 in the dimensions Physical Functioning: -0.791, p <0.000; Role Physical: -0.839; p <0.000; Bodily Pain: -0.684; General Health: -0.617, p <0.000; Role Emotional: -0.691, p <0.000). There was no correlation with Vitality: -0.003, p=0.979; Role Social: -0.188, p=0.740 or Mental Health: -0.085, p=0.421. CONCLUSIONS: There were positive correlations between CEAP and both VAPS and VCSS. Chronic Venous Insufficiency progressively affects quality of life (SF-36). Physical and emotional aspects are more severe at later stages of CVD. Vitality, Mental Health and Role Social can be negatively impacted from the early stages of the disease