Evaluation of quality of life in patients with varicose veins of the lower extremities

Abstract

In this descriptive study, the presence of any association between risk factors and quality of life (QOL) in patients with lower extremity varicose veins was determined using a disease-specific scale. This study included 200 patients admitted to the cardiovascular surgery polyclinic of a hospital between January and December 2018 with chronic venous insufficiency and lower extremity varicose veins. The data collection form was applied to the patients who accepted the study after appropriate information was given about the research by a face-to-face interview method. The QOL was found to be higher in the 51–70 age group, with a fixed standing time of less than 7 hours a day, without constipation and with one or more chronic diseases other than varicose veins. About 83.5% of the patients had used compression stockings (CS) and 40.5% of the patients had previously used complementary treatment methods. The QOL scores of the patients with lower extremity varices were found to be low. Causes of dissatisfaction of the patients when using CS include swelling of the feet and fingers, pain and numbness, itching of the wrist, firmness, wrinkles, keeping warm, gliding down the leg and not being cosmetic.

Keywords: Varicose veins, chronic venous insufficiency, compression stockings, quality of life, nurse’s role