The VEINES Study (VEnous INsufficiency Epidemiologic and Economic Study): An International Cohort Study on Chronic Venous Disorders of the Leg

Abstract

The aim of the VEINES study is to address some gaps in knowledge regarding the multi dimensional repercussions of venous disorders and the measurement of outcomes. Its objectives are to describe and compare defined clinical presentations of venous-related leg disorders with regard to natural history, clinical outcome, functional capacity, quality of life, and economic impact. A secondary objective is to develop or identify and test standardized instruments for the evaluation of therapeutic effectiveness. This paper presents an overview of the design of the study and of the options chosen for the recruit ment process and the outcome measures.

Get full access to this article

View all access options for this article.

References

Campbell WB : Varicose veins. An increasing burden for the NHS. Br Med J 300:763-764, 1990.

Ruckley CV : Venous disease. Does venous reflux matter ? Lancet 341:411-412, 1993.

Laing W. : Chronic Venous Diseases of the Leg. London: Office of Health Economics, 1992.

Franks PJ , Wright Ddi , Moffat CJ , et al: Prevalence of venous disease: A community study in West London . Eur J Surg 158:143-147, 1992.

Castro Silva M. : Chronic venous insufficiency of the lower limb and its economic significance. Int Angio 10:152-157, 1991.

Wienert V. : Epidémiologie et socio-économie des maladies veineuses en Allemagne . Phlébologie 46:225-234, 1993.

Baker SR , Stacey MC , Jopp-McKay AG, et al: Epidemiology of chronic venous ulcers. Br J Surg 78:864-867, 1991.

Lees TA , Lambert D. : Prevalence of lower limb ulceration in an urban health district. Br J Surg 79:1032-1034, 1992 .

Lafuma A. , Fagnani F. , Peltier-Pujol F. , et al: La maladie veineuse en France: un problème de santé publique méconnu. J Mal Vasc 19:185-189, 1994.

10.

Hume M. : Presidential address: A venous renaissance ? J Vasc Surg 15:947-951, 1992.

11.

Boccalon H. : Methods of evaluation of a drug in phlebology, in man. Phlebology 3(suppl):11-12, 1992.

12.

Moffat CJ , Franks PJ , Olroyd M. , et al: Community clinics for leg ulcers and impact on healing. Br Med J 305:1389-1392, 1992 .

13.

Allen S. : Venous ulcers. General practitioners should organize the care of these. Br Med J 300:826-827, 1990.

14.

Jamieson WG : State of the art of venous investigation and treatment. Can J Surg 36:119-128, 1993.

15.

Scott HJ , Coleridge-Smith PD , McMullim GM , et al: Venous disease: Investigations and treatment, fact or fiction ? Ann R Coll Surg Engl 72:188-192, 1990.

16.

Widmer LK : Peripheral venous disorders—prevalence and socio-medical importance . Bern: Hans Gruber, 1978, pp 1-90.

17.

Porter JM , Moneta GL and An International Consensus Committee on Chronic Venous Disease: Reporting Standards in venous diseases. An Update. J Vasc Surg 21:635-645, 1995.

18.

Garrat AM , McDonald LM , Ruta DA , et al: Towards measurement of outcome for patients with varicose veins . Quality of Health Care 2:5-10, 1993.

19.

Franks PJ , Wright DD , Fletcher AE : A questionnaire to assess risk factors, quality of life, and use of health resources in patients with venous disease. Eur J Surg 158:149-155, 1992.

20.

Ware JE : Measuring patients' views: The optimum outcome measure. SF36: A valid, reliable assessment of health from the patient's point of view. Br Med J 306:1429-1430, 1993.

21.

Robinson R. : Economic evaluation and health care. What does it mean? Br Med J 307:670-673, 1993.

22.

Drummond MF , Stoddart GL , Torrance GW : Economic Evaluation of Health Care Programmes. Oxford: Oxford University Press, 1990.

23.

Anonymous. L'insuffisance veineuse chronique en entreprise, aujourd'hui. 24ème Congrès International de la Santé au Travail, Nice Acropolis, Septembre 27, 1993. Press Release.

24.

Bérard A. , Kurz X. , Zuccarelli F. , et al, and the Veines Group : Reliability study of the leg-o-meter in patients suffering from venous insufficiency of the lower limbs. Phlebology (suppl 1):295, 1995.

25.

Cornu- Thénard A. , De Vincenzi I. : Evaluation of different systems for clinical quantification of varicose veins. J Dermatol Surg Oncol 17:345-348, 1991.