An evaluation of quality of life, physical activity level and symptoms in patients with early stages of chronic venous disease

Background: Chronic venous disease (CVD) is a common, long-term disease that has a variety of symptoms, signs and decreases the patients' quality of life (QoL) of the patients. The aim of this study was to evaluate QoL, symptoms, and physical activity level of CVD patients with early stages (C-1 and C-2 classes). Methods: The sample of this study composed of 40 patients diagnosed with CVD. The data were collected by face-to-face interview method in the cardiovascular surgery outpatient clinic. Participants were diagnosed with duplex ultrasound (DUS). A personal information form, venous insufficiency epidemiological and economic study-quality of life/symptoms (VEINS-QOL/Sym), and international physical activity questionnaire were used to assess the participants. Results: According to DUS results, 23 participants had unilateral CVD, 17 participants had bilateral CVD. Thirty-six of these limbs were stage C-2 according to CEAP, twenty one were stage C-3 . The patients with CVD had low QoL and physical activity level, also moderate pain intensity. Pain, swelling, restless leg, heavy legs, night cramps, and itching were more common symptoms. There was no statistical difference between unilateral/bilateral CVD patients in QoL scores, physical activity level, and pain intensity (p>0.05). Conclusion: There was no difference between the extent and severity of the disease and QoL, physical activity level, variety of symptoms. To increase the physical activity level and to evaluate the quality of life may be important for the management of the disease from the early stages of the disease (C-1 and C-2 classes). (C) 2021 Society for Vascular Nursing, Inc. Published by Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.

Automated summary

This study evaluated the quality of life, symptoms, and physical activity level of CVD patients in early stages. Results showed that CVD patients had low QoL, physical activity level, and moderate pain intensity. Common symptoms included pain, swelling, restless leg, heavy legs, night cramps, and itching.