Sex Dysfunction and Chronic Venous Disease

Study Overview
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Brief Summary
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Chronic Venous Disease (CVD) is a common clinical condition with a high prevalence in the western population that may affect quality of life (QoL) of affected patients for several adverse effects. Sexual dysfunction (SD) also partecipate in the QoL of people and has never specifically studied in CVD patients. The aim of this study is to study SD in CVD patients before and after treatment.

Detailed Description
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Chronic Venous Disease (CVD) is a widespread clinical condition with a high prevalence in the western world, affecting more than 10% in young adults and more than 70% in older individuals (age >70 years). CVD clinical manifestations vary from mild clinical signs, including varicose veins, to more advanced and severe signs such as. Lower limb edema, skin changes, and venous leg ulceration (VLU) which impact the quality of life (QoL) of affected patients. Sexual dysfunction (SD), generally affects QoL, and specifically SD has never been evaluated in CVD patients. Clinical stages are described by the CEAP (Clinical-Etiology-Anatomy-Pathophysiology) classification that is an internationally accepted standard for describing patients with CVD. CEAP defines the following clinical classes, C0 includes no visible or palpable signs of venous disease; C1 includes telangiectasia and reticular veins; C2 includes trunk VV of variable origin; C2r includes recurrent varicose veins; C3 includes lower limbs edema; C4a includes pigmentation or eczema; C4b includes lipodermatosclerosis or atrophie blanche; C4c includes corona phlebectatica; C5 includes healed ulcer; C6 includes active ulcer; C6r includes recurrent active ulcer. Moreover, each clinical class may be subcharacterized by a subscript indicating the presence (symptomatic, s) or absence (asymptomatic, a) of symptoms attributable to venous disease, such as leg heaviness, achy or tired legs, cramping, restless legs. The most severe form of CVD is defined Chronic Venous Insufficiency (CVI) and corresponds to C3-C6 classes of CEAP. For the treatment of CVD several strategy, often combined can be used such as the administration of vasoactive drugs (VADs), or the utilization of compression devices (elastic stockings or bandages) and several surgical or endovascular techniques. Regarding sex dysfunction there are several unidimensional self-report measures available for assessing sexual dysfunction, all of them with some advantages and limitations. One of the most scale used in this context, proved useful in several clinical contexts is the ASEX (Arizona Sexual Experience) scale that is considered extremely reliable, valid, and sensitive for measuring sexual dysfunction with optimal internal consistency. ASEX is a five-item rating scale that quantifies sex drive, arousal, vaginal lubrication/penile erection, ability to reach orgasm, and satisfaction from orgasm. Possible total scores range from 5 to 30. Generally, a subject with a total ASEX score of > 19, any one item with a score of > 5, or any three items with a score of > 4 would have sexual dysfunction. The aim of this study is to evaluate sexual functioning with ASEX scale among patients with CVD, at various clinical stages, before and after treatment.

Official Title
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Sexual Dysfunction in Patients With Chronic Venous Disease

Conditions
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Chronic Venous Insufficiency, Sexual Dysfunction

Intervention / Treatment
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* Diagnostic Test: ASEX (Arizona Sexual Experience) administration


Participation Criteria
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Eligibility Criteria
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Inclusion Criteria: - patients with first diagnosis of Chronic Venous Disease Exclusion Criteria: presence of known sexual dysfunction of organic origin. presence of arterial system diseases. presence of malignancies. presence of endocrine system disease.

Ages Eligible for Study
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Minimum Age: 18 Years

Sexes Eligible for Study
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All

Accepts Healthy Volunteers
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No

Study Plan
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How is the study designed?
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Arms and Interventions

| Participant Group/Arm | Intervention/Treatment |
| --- | --- |
| Patients with chronic venous disease<br>Consecutive patients with chronic venous disease (CVD) that will be diagnosed, staged according to the CEAP (Clinical-Etiology-Anatomy-Pathophysiology) classification of CVD. ASEX (Arizona Sexual Experience) questionnaire will be administered to CVD patients at time 0 of study inclusion and after treatment of CVD at intervals of 6 months and 12 months after treatment. | Diagnostic Test: ASEX (Arizona Sexual Experience) administration<br>* ASEX is a five-item rating scale that quantifies sex drive, arousal, vaginal lubrication/penile erection, ability to reach orgasm, and satisfaction from orgasm. Possible total scores range from 5 to 30. Generally, a subject with a total ASEX score of > 19, any one item with a score of > 5, or any three items with a score of > 4 would have sexual dysfunction.<br>|

What is the study measuring?
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Primary Outcome Measures

| Outcome Measure | Measure Description | Time Frame |
| --- | --- | --- |
| Prevalence of sexual dysfunction at CVD diagnosis | CVD patients will be evaluated for sexual dysfunction at the moment of first diagnosis of CVD. ASEX (Arizona Sexual Experience) scale will be used. ASEX is a five-item rating scale that quantifies sex drive, arousal, vaginal lubrication/penile erection, ability to reach orgasm, and satisfaction from orgasm. Possible total scores range from 5 to 30. Generally, a subject with a total ASEX score of > 19, any one item with a score of > 5, or any three items with a score of > 4 would have sexual dysfunction | 6 months | 

Secondary Outcome Measures

| Outcome Measure | Measure Description | Time Frame |
| --- | --- | --- |
| Evolution od sexual dysfunction after CVD treatments | CVD patients that resulted affected from sexual dysfunction related to CVD conditions, will be evaluated to find out if CVD treatment has been beneficial also to sexual dysfunction. ASEX (Arizona Sexual Experience) scale will be used as in outcome 1. | 12 months |