Introduction: Chronic venous disease has been shown to have a significant impact on patients' quality of life (QoL).
Objective: The aim of this study was to estimate the impact of chronic venous insufficiency (CVI) on QoL in patients with terminal stages of HVI, classified according to the CEAP clinical classification into classes C5 (healed ulcers) and C6 (active ulcers), on admission and after applied therapy.
Methods: A cross-sectional study performed between October 2007 and June 2008 in a Belgrade outpatient clinic involved a total of 82 patients with venous ulcers (38 C5 and 44 C6) examined at the beginning of therapy. Of these, 14 C5 and 15 C6 patients in remission were re-examined after therapy from November 2007 to January 2010. QoL was assessed using a standard short-form (SF-36) questionnaire, and additionally by a brief CVD questionnaire specific for chronic venous disease.
Results: At the beginning of therapy the SF-36 scores showed significant (p < 0.05) reductions in all QoL domains of C5 and C6 patients regarding physical, general health, and vitality in C5 and C6 patients. After therapy QoL was significantly improved in both classes of patients, but remained unchanged in the domain of emotional functioning suggesting the patients' fear and worry of HVI progression.
Conclusion: In patients with terminal stages of CVI QoL was decreased at the beginning of therapy, but with the remission of the disease and ulcer healing it was significantly improved. This indicates the significance of prevention and timely treatment, and the need for patients' education about the chronic nature of the disease.