Patients and physicians agree only partially in symptoms and clinical findings before and after treatment for varicose veins

Abstract

Objective

Quality improvement in surgery has mainly been based on clinical database outcomes. This study compared variables from the patient-reported Aberdeen Varicose Vein Questionnaire with the Danish Clinical Vein Database, in order to reveal agreements and differences in symptoms and clinical findings.

Methods

In the period January–March 2011, 379 legs in 287 patients treated for varicose veins were registered in the Danish Clinical Vein Database and compared to the Aberdeen Varicose Vein Questionnaire.

Results

Patients and physicians agreed in reduction of symptoms after intervention with one or more complaints still present in 128 (93%) patients according to Aberdeen Varicose Vein Questionnaire compared to the Danish Clinical Vein Database with only 64 (47%) patients. Patients reported cosmetic complaints and teleangiectasies both before and after treatment (p < 0.001) more often than doctors.

Conclusion

The Aberdeen Varicose Vein Questionnaire has added valuable information to the dialogue between the doctor and patient on which symptoms expecting to improve and which not.

Keywords

Quality of life assessment varicose veins patient-reported outcomes patient satisfaction

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