Efficacy and Safety of Endovenous Ablation for Relief of Knee Pain in Elderly Patients With Lower Extremity Varicose Veins: A Prospective Observational Study

Обзор

Lower extremity varicose veins (LEVV) are common among elderly patients and can cause leg heaviness, pain, and swelling. In some older adults, venous congestion may contribute to knee or peri-knee pain, which is often misattributed to degenerative joint disease alone. Evidence on whether varicose vein treatment can relieve knee pain in very elderly patients (aged 80 years or older) is limited. This prospective cohort study aims to evaluate the effectiveness and safety of endovenous ablation (EVA) for improving knee pain in elderly patients with symptomatic varicose veins. The study will include participants aged 80 years or older who present with both lower extremity varicose veins and knee joint pain. Eligible patients will undergo endovenous thermal ablation (radiofrequency or endovenous laser ablation) as the primary intervention. Participants will be assessed at baseline, 1 month, 3 months, 6 months, and 12 months after treatment. The primary outcome is the change in knee pain intensity measured by the Visual Analog Scale (VAS) from baseline to 6 months. Secondary outcomes include changes in knee joint function (assessed by the Western Ontario and McMaster Universities Osteoarthritis Index \[WOMAC\] or Knee Injury and Osteoarthritis Outcome Score \[KOOS\]), venous clinical severity score (VCSS), limb heaviness, quality of life (assessed by EQ-5D), and procedure-related complications. Safety will be evaluated by recording peri-procedural adverse events, including deep vein thrombosis, skin burns, nerve injury, and postoperative infection. The study will also analyze whether preexisting osteoarthritis, venous reflux severity, or body mass index (BMI) affect the magnitude of pain improvement. The hypothesis is that endovenous ablation improves knee pain in elderly patients by reducing venous congestion around the knee and improving venous return. This study will help clarify whether treating varicose veins can provide additional benefits for knee pain and mobility in patients aged 80 years and older.

Вмешательства

• Процедура Endovenous Ablation for Varicose Veins
  Participants will receive standard endovenous treatment for lower limb varicose veins as part of their routine clinical care. The procedure may include radiofrequency ablation (RFA), endovenous laser ablation (EVLA), or other accepted thermal ablation techniques, with or without adjunctive phlebectomy or foam sclerotherapy if clinically indicated. The intervention is performed under tumescent local anesthesia by vascular surgeons according to established guidelines. No experimental techniques or

Первичные конечные точки

• Change in Knee Pain Score (VAS) [Срок оценки: Baseline, 1 month, 3 months, and 6 months]
• Change in Knee Function and Symptoms [Срок оценки: Baseline, 1 month, 3 months, and 6 months]

Вторичные конечные точки (5)

• Change in Venous Clinical Severity Score (VCSS) [Срок оценки: Baseline, 1 month, 3 months, and 6 months.]
• Change in Aberdeen Varicose Vein Questionnaire (AVVQ) [Срок оценки: Baseline, 1 month, 3 months, and 6 months.]
• Change in Health-Related Quality of Life [Срок оценки: Baseline, 1 month, 3 months, and 6 months]
• Use of Analgesic Medications [Срок оценки: 6 months.]
• Adverse Events Related to Procedure [Срок оценки: Within 6 months after procedure.]

Критерии участия

Критерии включения

Adults aged ≥80 years. Clinical diagnosis of lower limb varicose veins with documented venous reflux on duplex ultrasound (CEAP C2-C4).

Presence of knee pain lasting ≥4 weeks prior to enrollment, confirmed by patient-reported VAS/NRS ≥3 at baseline.

Planned to undergo standard endovenous treatment (radiofrequency ablation, endovenous laser ablation, or equivalent).

Ability to provide informed consent and complete study questionnaires.

Критерии исключения

Prior surgery or endovenous ablation for varicose veins in the same limb. History of inflammatory arthritis (e.g., rheumatoid arthritis, gout) or other systemic rheumatologic disease.

Recent acute knee injury (ligament, meniscus, fracture) within 6 months. Prior knee replacement or major knee surgery. Recent intra-articular injection or arthroscopy (<3 months). Known deep vein thrombosis or history of pulmonary embolism within the past 6 months.

Severe peripheral arterial disease (ABI <0.8). Pregnancy or breastfeeding. Inability to comply with follow-up schedule or complete questionnaires.

Критерии приведены из реестра в оригинале (на английском). Окончательную оценку соответствия проводит исследовательский центр.

Здоровые добровольцы: Нет

Дизайн исследования

Модель наблюдения

Когортное

Центры проведения

Список центров уточняется — проверьте первичный протокол.

Публикации

• Cao TN, Nguyen CT, Nguyen MD. The association between chronic venous disease and knee osteoarthritis. Eur Rev Med Pharmacol Sci. 2023 Apr;27(7):2899-2907. doi: 10.26355/eurrev_202304_31921. PMID 37070890
• Lesnyak OM, Zubareva EV, Goncharova MG, Maksimov DM. [Lower extremity venous diseases in primary knee osteoarthritis]. Ter Arkh. 2017;89(5):53-59. doi: 10.17116/terarkh201789553-59. Russian. PMID 28631699
• Oga Y, Sugiyama S, Matsubara S, Inaki Y, Matsunaga M, Shindo A. The Effectiveness of Endovenous Thermal Ablation for the Knee Symptoms of the Osteoarthritis with Varicose Veins. Ann Vasc Dis. 2021 Jun 25;14(2):108-111. doi: 10.3400/avd.oa.21-00016. PMID 34239634
• Gunes S, Sehim K, Cuneyt K, Gokmen D, Kucukdeveci AA. Is there a relationship between venous insufficiency and knee osteoarthritis? Turk J Phys Med Rehabil. 2020 Mar 3;66(1):40-46. doi: 10.5606/tftrd.2020.5110. eCollection 2020 Mar. PMID 32318673

Идентификаторы

NCT: NCT07239284 · chengduUTCM knee-80

Первоисточники (государственные реестры)

• ClinicalTrials.gov (NIH, США)

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