Phlebology. 2026 Nov 1:2683555261504630. doi: 10.1177/02683555261504630. Online ahead of print.
ABSTRACT
ObjectivesTo investigate the associations of disease-related parameters with physical activity, general health status, functional capacity, and lower-extremity function in patients with chronic venous insufficiency (CVI).MethodsThis cross-sectional study included 54 patients with Clinical, Etiological, Anatomical, and Pathophysiological (CEAP) C2-C3 CVI. Assessments included Venous Clinical Severity Score (VCSS), selected vein diameter, venous reflux time (VRT), International Physical Activity Questionnaire-Short Form (IPAQ-SF), daily step count, Nottingham Health Profile (NHP), 6-minute walk distance (6MWD), and Lower Extremity Functional Scale (LEFS). Spearman correlation and univariable and age- and body mass index-adjusted multivariable linear regression analyses were performed. Sensitivity analyses used binary VRT (≤6 vs >6 seconds).ResultsMean age was 48.81 ± 8.25 years; 45 patients (83.3%) were women and 49 (90.7%) had CEAP C3 disease. VCSS correlated negatively with IPAQ-SF (r = -0.341; p = .012), daily step count (r = -0.438; p < .001), percentage of predicted 6MWD (r = -0.340; p = .012), 6MWD (r = -0.358; p = .008), and LEFS (r = -0.341; p = .012), but not significantly with NHP (r = -0.244; p = .075). In adjusted models, VCSS was negatively associated with IPAQ-SF (B = -60.422; 95% confidence interval [CI], -110.305 to -10.540; p = .019), daily step count (B = -411.843; 95% CI, -678.825 to -144.862; p = .003), percentage of predicted 6MWD (B = -2.765; 95% CI, -4.624 to -0.907; p = .004), and LEFS (B = -4.470; 95% CI, -6.996 to -1.945; p < .001). Selected vein diameter showed no significant adjusted associations. VRT was positively associated only with LEFS (B = 3.643; 95% CI, 1.406 to 5.879; p = .002). With binary VRT, the negative VCSS associations with daily step count, percentage of predicted 6MWD, and LEFS remained significant, whereas the IPAQ-SF association did not (p = .053); the positive VRT-LEFS association remained significant (p = .041).ConclusionsIn patients with CEAP C2-C3 CVI, predominantly C3, higher VCSS was associated with fewer daily steps, reduced walking capacity, and poorer lower-extremity function. A multidimensional assessment integrating VCSS, physical activity, functional capacity, and lower-extremity function may provide a more comprehensive clinical evaluation.
PMID:42967890 | DOI:10.1177/02683555261504630