The VVSymQ® instrument: Use of a new patient-reported outcome measure for assessment of varicose vein symptoms

Paty, Jean A.; Turner-Bowker, Diane M.; Elash, Celeste A.; Wright, David

doi:10.1177/0268355515595193

Cited by 56 publications

(42 citation statements)

References 18 publications

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“…A total of 3787 records were identified; following detailed examination, nine studies [25][26][27][28][29][30][31][32][33] (reporting on 4 PROMs) were included ( All the included studies assessed the psychometric properties and suitability of the suggested PROMs in patients with varicose veins ( Table 3). The studies were prospective in design, and were undertaken in the UK and USA.…”

Section: +A: Resultsmentioning

confidence: 99%

“…The only generic PROM evaluated was the 36-Item Short Form Health Survey (SF-36 ® ; Optum, Eden Prairie, Minnesota, USA) 26,27 . The condition-specific PROMs were the Aberdeen Varicose Vein Questionnaire (AVVQ) 25,[28][29][30]32 , the Varicose Veins Symptoms Questionnaire (VVSymQ ® ; BTG International, London, UK) 31,33 and the Specific Quality-of-life and Outcome Response (SQOR-V) 32 .…”

Section: +B: Patient-reported Outcomes Measurement Data and Psychometmentioning

confidence: 99%

See 1 more Smart Citation

Systematic Review of Patient-Reported Outcome Measures in Patients With Varicose Veins

Aber¹,

Poku²,

Phillips³

et al. 2018

Journal of Vascular Surgery: Venous and Lymphatic Disorders

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Background: Varicose veins can affect quality of life. Patient-reported outcome measures (PROMs) provide a direct report from the patient about the impact of the disease without interpretation from clinicians or anyone else. The aim of this study was to examine the quality of the psychometric evidence of PROMs used in patients with varicose veins. Methods: A systematic review was undertaken to identify studies that reported the psychometric properties of generic and disease-specific PROMs in patients with varicose veins. Literature searches were conducted in databases including MEDLINE, up to July 2016. The psychometric criteria used to assess these studies were adapted from published recommendations in accordance with US Food and Drug Administration guidance. Results: Nine studies were included which reported on aspects of the development and/or validation of one generic (36-Item Short Form Survey, SF-36 ®) and three disease-specific (Aberdeen Varicose Vein Questionnaire, AVVQ; Varicose Veins Symptoms Questionnaire, VVSymQ ® ; Specific Qualityof-life and Outcome Response-Venous, SQOR-V) PROMS. The evidence from included studies provided data to support the construct validity, test-retest reliability and responsiveness of the AVVQ. However, its content validity, including weighting of the AVVQ questions, was biased and based on the opinion of clinicians, and the instrument had poor acceptability. VVSymQ ® displayed good responsiveness and acceptability rates. SF-36 ® was considered to have satisfactory responsiveness and internal consistency. Conclusion: There is a scarcity of psychometric evidence for PROMs used in patients with varicose veins. These data suggest that AVVQ and SF-36 ® are the most rigorously evaluated PROMs in patients with varicose veins. +A: Introduction Varicose veins are enlarged lumpy visible veins caused by reflux of blood in the superficial veins of the leg 1. They are extremely common, affecting more than half of the population in Western Europe and North America 2-4. Varicose veins can cause symptoms such as pain, aching, swelling, throbbing, cramping, itching and bleeding 5. Complications include superficial thrombophlebitis, external bleeding, lipodermatosclerosis, eczema and ulceration 6,7. Traditionally, treatment comprised surgery with stripping of the great saphenous vein and removal of the varicose veins through small incisions (avulsions or phlebectomies). However, in the past decade new less invasive treatments have been developed 8. In 2009-2010, 35 659 varicose vein procedures were carried out in the National Health Service (NHS) 8. Patient-reported outcome measures (PROMS) provide a means by which the impact of varicose veins or their treatments on quality of life can be measured. The questionnaires are typically developed from qualitative studies involving patients and clinicians. The items in these questionnaires are then tested for their ability to capture the patient's experience in prospective surveys, using psychometric analyses to explore the relationship of the items...

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Section: +A: Resultsmentioning

confidence: 99%

Section: +B: Patient-reported Outcomes Measurement Data and Psychometmentioning

confidence: 99%

Systematic Review of Patient-Reported Outcome Measures in Patients With Varicose Veins

Aber¹,

Poku²,

Phillips³

et al. 2018

Journal of Vascular Surgery: Venous and Lymphatic Disorders

View full text Add to dashboard Cite

show abstract

“…The VVSymQ ® score captured meaningful clinical change and treatment impact, with an effect size of 1⋅6 when the scores were compared between baseline and 6 weeks after intervention. This electronic PROM had between 86⋅1 and 97 per cent data completion, reflecting good acceptability among the patients 31,33 .…”

Section: Varicose Veins Symptoms Questionnairementioning

confidence: 93%

“…The only generic PROM evaluated was the 36-Item Short Form Health Survey (SF-36 ® ; Optum, Eden Prairie, Minnesota, USA) 26,27 . The condition-specific PROMs were the Aberdeen Varicose Vein Questionnaire (AVVQ) 25,28 -30,32 , the Varicose Veins Symptoms Questionnaire (VVSymQ ® ; BTG International, London, UK) 31,33 and the Specific Quality-of-life and Outcome Response -Venous (SQOR-V) 32 . The protocol regarding timing of PROMs differed between the studies.…”

Section: Patient-reported Outcomes Measurement Data and Psychometric mentioning

confidence: 99%

Systematic review of patient-reported outcome measures in patients with varicose veins

Aber

Poku

Phillips

et al. 2017

British Journal of Surgery

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“…PROs scores are based off of 7 components including: heaviness, achiness, swelling, throbbing, itching, appearance and impact on work. 12, 13 These are assessed on a scale 0–5 via patient survey that is given to the patient during each clinic follow up (early and late). These scores are then combined to create the overall PROs score.…”

Section: Methodsmentioning

confidence: 99%

Age is not a barrier to good outcomes after varicose vein procedures

Sutzko

Andraska

Andrea

et al. 2017

Journal of Vascular Surgery: Venous and Lymphatic Disorders

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Background The Vascular Quality Initiative Varicose Vein Registry (VQI VVR) represents a patient-centered database launched in January 2015. Previous work describing overall trends and outcomes of varicose vein procedures across the United States demonstrates a benefit from these procedures. The existing gaps in evidence to support current and future Medicare coverage of varicose vein procedures necessitate further description of clinical outcomes in patients ≥ 65 years old compared to the < 65 year old population. Methods This study analyzed prospectively captured anatomic, procedural, and outcome data for all patients in a national cohort of all VQI VVR-participating centers. The VQI VVR database was queried for all patients undergoing varicose vein procedures between January 2015 and July 2016. Pre-procedural and post-procedural CEAP classification, venous clinical severity score (VCSS), and patient reported outcomes (PROs) were compared between patients < 65 and ≥ 65 years old. Univariate descriptive statistics of demographic and procedural data were performed. Student’s t tests were then performed on change in CEAP classification, VCSS score and PROs (heaviness, achiness, throbbing, swelling, itching, appearance and impact on work) for each group. Results There were 4,841 varicose vein procedures performed from January 2015 to May 2016. There were 3,441 procedures performed in 2,691 patients (3631 limbs) in the < 65 years old group and 1,400 procedures performed in 1,068 patients (1467 limbs) in the ≥ 65 years old group. Truncal veins alone were the most common veins treated in both groups. The majority of patients were white and female in both groups. Most of the demographic characteristics were clinically similar, (although statistically different), in both groups with the exception of a higher BMI is the < 65 group and a history of bilateral varicose vein treatment, and anticoagulation being more common among patients ≥ 65. Patients in both groups experience statistically significant improvement in VCSS, PROs and CEAP. There was no difference in overall complications between age groups. Conclusion All patients demonstrated an associated improvement in both clinical outcomes (CEAP, VCSS), and PROs. There was no significant difference in the improvement in CEAP and VCSS between patients less than and greater than 65 years old, although the younger population reported greater improvement in PROs. Given these findings, patients older than 65 appear to benefit from varicose vein procedures and should not be denied interventions on their varicose veins and venous insufficiency based only on their age.

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The VVSymQ® instrument: Use of a new patient-reported outcome measure for assessment of varicose vein symptoms

Cited by 56 publications

References 18 publications

Systematic Review of Patient-Reported Outcome Measures in Patients With Varicose Veins

Systematic Review of Patient-Reported Outcome Measures in Patients With Varicose Veins

Systematic review of patient-reported outcome measures in patients with varicose veins

Age is not a barrier to good outcomes after varicose vein procedures

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