Respiratory and Physical Functions in Individuals With Chronic Venous Insufficiency

Edema, Pain, Respiratory Functions, Physical Functions and Quality of Life in Individuals With Chronic Venous Insufficiency

In the literature, it is still unclear whether individuals with chronic venous insufficiency are affected by edema, pain, respiratory muscle strength, respiratory functions, functional capacity, lower extremity strength and quality of life compared to asymptomatic healthy individuals and if there is a deterioration in these parameters, its level is still unclear. For this reason, in this study it was aimed to investigate edema, pain, respiratory muscle strength, respiratory function, functional capacity, lower extremity strength and quality of life in individuals with chronic venous insufficiency and asymptomatic healthy individuals and to compare these parameters between the two groups.

Chronic Venous Insufficiency affects approximately 30% of the global population and its main symptoms are pain, edema, throbbing, feeling of heaviness in the extremities, itching, varicose veins and tissue changes. Pain in CVI is a chronic condition that negatively affects the quality of life due to physical function and limitation of movement. Limitation of ankle movement in CVI is one of the factors that increase edema and venous severity. Researches investigating pulmonary function in chronic venous insufficiency are very limited. For this reason, in this study it was aimed to investigate edema, pain, respiratory muscle strength, respiratory function, functional capacity, lower extremity strength and quality of life in individuals with chronic venous insufficiency and asymptomatic healthy individuals and to compare these parameters between the two groups.

Inclusion criteria for individuals with chronic venous insufficiency:

• Being diagnosed with chronic venous insufficiency
• Being in one of the C1, C2, C3, C4, C5 stages according to the 'Clinical, Etiologic, Anatomic, Pathophysiologic' (CEAP) scale
• Volunteering to participate in the study
• 18 years of age or older

Exclusion criteria for individuals with chronic venous insufficiency:

• Presence of arterial disease,
• The presence of advanced cardiorespiratory diseases,
• Orthopaedic and neurological disorders affecting walking,
• Presence of acute ulcers (< 3 months) and diabetic ulcers,
• Being pregnant.
• History of deep vein thrombosis,
• Presence of active infection

Inclusion criteria for asymptomatic healthy individuals:

• 18 years of age and older
• Volunteering to participate in the study
• Individuals who can understand and answer questionnaires and measurements

Exclusion criteria for asymptomatic healthy individuals:

• Individuals with any physical or mental disability
• Individuals with any acute or chronic infection and/or health problems