Quality of life tools reflect disease severity but can they be improved?

WHO. WHOQOL: measuring quality of life. Geneva: Author, 1997.

National Institute for Health and Care Excellence. Varicose veins: diagnosis and management [CG168], www.nice.org.uk/guidance/cg168/resources/varicose-veins-diagnosis-and-management-pdf-35109698485957 (2013, accessed 25 August 2018).

Zappadu S Onida S Davies AH et al . The role of quality of life tools in superficial venous disease. Rev Vasc Med 2016; 4–5: 17–22.

Launois R. Health-related quality-of-life scales specific for chronic venous disorders of the lower limbs. J Vasc Surg: Venous and Lym Dis 2015; 3: 219–27.e1-3.

Fitzpatrick R Davey C Buxton MJ et al. Evaluating patient-based outcome measures for use in clinical trials. Health Technol Assess 1998; 2: 1–74.

Kuet M Lane TRA Anwar MA et al . Comparison of disease-specific quality of life tools in patients with chronic venous disease. Phlebology 2013; 29: 648–653.

Kahn SR M’lan CE Lamping DL et al . Relationship between clinical classification of chronic venous disease and patient-reported quality of life: results from an international cohort study. J Vasc Surg 2004; 39: 823–828.

Staniszewska A Tambyraja A Afolabi E et al . The Aberdeen varicose vein questionnaire, patient factors and referral for treatment. Eur J Vasc Endovasc Surg 2013; 46: 715–718.

Department of Health. Guidance on the routine collection of patient reported outcome measures (PROMs). London, 2008.

Browne JP van der Meulen JH Lewsey JD et al . Mathematical coupling may account for the association between baseline severity and minimally important difference values. J Clin Epidemiol 2010; 63: 865–874.

Carroll C Hummel S Leaviss J et al. Clinical effectiveness and cost-effectiveness of minimally invasive techniques to manage varicose veins: a systematic review and economic evaluation. Health Tech Assess 2013; 17: i–xvi, 1–141.