Evaluation of quality of life in patients under clinical assessment of post-thrombotic limbs

• Grant number: 13/02976-5
• Support Opportunities: Scholarships in Brazil - Scientific Initiation
• Start date: April 01, 2013
• End date: December 31, 2013
• Field of knowledge: Health Sciences - Medicine - Surgery
• Principal Investigator: Hamilton Almeida Rollo
• Grantee: Rafael Sanchez
• Host Institution: Faculdade de Medicina (FMB). Universidade Estadual Paulista (UNESP). Campus de Botucatu. Botucatu , SP, Brazil

Abstract

Deep venous thrombosis (DVT) of the lower extremity is an important clinical condition characterized by the acute formation of thrombus in deep veins of the limb. The incidence of DVT is estimated in 6 cases/100000 persons/year and it is frequently associated with other conditions such as surgeries, traumas, and other venous diseases, which increase susceptibility to thrombus formation by promoting abnormalities in normal hemostasis. These abnormalities can be primarily identified in Virchow's triad, which describes that flow alterations, endothelial injury, and hypercoagulable states play an important role in thrombogenesis. It is estimated that one of 2-3 patients with DVT will develop a condition called post-thrombotic syndrome (PTS), characterized by chronic venous insufficiency with a wide range of clinical severity. Because of its chronicity, PTS is burdensome to patients due to the functional losses and limitations in diary activities. This scenario has motivated a prospective study to assess the outcomes of the recanalization process of post-thrombotic limbs for a better comprehension of PTS and its implications. Thus, the evaluation of patients' quality of life - patients' own perception of the burden of DVT - seems to be valuable to broaden the approach of DVT beyond its clinical aspects. The aim of this study is to evaluate the quality of life of patients under clinical follow-up after DVT, by the application of VEINES-QOL/Sym questionnaire, a disease-specific measure of the quality of life, one year after acute DVT. (AU)