A questionnaire to assess risk factors, quality of life, and use of health resources in patients with venous disease.
OBJECTIVE
To test the accuracy and usefulness of a questionnaire to assess risk factors and symptoms of venous disease, quality of life, and dependence on health and social services.


METHODS
Case-control study.


METHODS
Multicentre study in three general practices.


METHODS
Patients drawn from a larger investigation of prevalence of venous disease.


RESULTS
Patients who had venous disease were taller and heavier and had spent more time standing at work than those who did not. It was strongly associated with both number of pregnancies and number of children. There were weak but not significant associations with the wearing of a corset, constipation, and a family history of venous problems.


CONCLUSIONS
The questionnaire was able to pick out recognised risk factors, and is suitable for use in studies of patients with venous disorders. It may also provide information about factors that have not yet been accepted. The case-control study is an appropriate way of assessing not only risk factors, but also signs and symptoms, quality of life, and use of health resources in patients with venous disease.
Department of Surgery, Charing Cross and Westminster Medical School, London, UK.
P J
PJ
Franks
D D
DD
Wright
A E
AE
Fletcher
C J
CJ
Moffatt
J
J
Stirling
C J
CJ
Bulpitt
C N
CN
McCollum
D016022:Case-Control Studies; D003153:Community Health Services / Q000706:statistics & numerical data; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008131:London / Q000453:epidemiology; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D011788:Quality of Life; D012307:Risk Factors; D011795:Surveys and Questionnaires; D014652:Vascular Diseases / Q000191:economics / Q000453:epidemiology* / Q000503:physiopathology