Investigation of the relationship between illness severity, functional level and quality of life in patients with chronic venous insufficiency

The aim of this study was to investigate the relationship between severity of disease, funtional level and quality of life in patients with chronic venous insufficiency (CVI). Fourty patients with CVI with mean age was 47,53 ± 12,21 years were recruited in the study. Seventeen of the patients were bilateral CVI, so fifty seven extremities were evaluated. Demographic characteristics of all patients were recorded, duration of reflux, the peak reflux velocity, the flow at peak reflux and vessel diameter of vein were assessed with duplex ultrasound (DUS). Ankle and knee range of motion (digital goniometre) and muscle strength (hand held dynamometer) were evaluated. Quality of life (Venous Insufficiency Epidemiological and Economic Study-Quality Of Life/Symptoms Scales), functional capacity (6 minute walk test, timed up and go test) and upper extremity functionality (hand grip strength), comorbidity (Charlson Comorbidity Score), pain (Visual Analog Scale), physical activity level (International Physical Activity Questionnaire-Short Form), edema and total leg volume (leg circumference measurement) were evaluated. The extremities were divided into two groups C2EPAYDPPR and C3EPAYDPPR. There was a statistically difference in duration of reflux, the peak reflux velocity, the flow at peak reflux and vessel diameter in two groups (p<0,05). There was no difference in quality of life, range of motion (ROM), muscle strength, pain, comorbidity, physical activity level and functional parameters in two groups (p>0,05). There was a statistically relationship between the peak reflux velocity and ankle dorsiflexion EHA (p<0.05). There was a statistically relationship between vessel diameter and ankle dorsiflexion ROM, plantarflexion ROM and knee flexion ROM (p<0.05). Statistically relationship was found between daily sitting time and the peak reflux velocity, the flow at peak reflux and vessel diameter (p<0.05). It was shown that in this study the quality of life and functional level of C2 and C3 groups were not affected by the disease severity. Comorbidity was an important factor affecting the functional level of patients and reflux parameters was determined by DUS could be distinguished in determining the disease severity according to this study results. Further research is required to include C1, C4- C6 groups and larger sample size. Key words: Chronic venous insufficiency, Duplex ultrasound, Functional level, Quality of life, Reflux