DOI: 10.1177/02683555261504633 ISSN: 0268-3555

Sex differences in quality of life and psychosocial outcomes among patients with lower extremity varicose veins

Mine Arğalı Deniz, Özden Gökçek, Muhammed Furkan Arpacı, Ahmet Utuş, Mehmet Cengiz Çolak
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Objectives

This study aimed to analyze the effects of lower extremity varicose veins (LEVVs) on quality of life and psychosocial well-being with respect to sex.

Methods

Demographic data were collected using a patient information form; psychological status, quality of life, and pain intensity were assessed with the Beck Depression Inventory, SF-36, and VAS, respectively.

Results

Of the 24 patients, 54.2% were male and 45.8% were female, with a mean age of 35.21 ± 11.40 years. Educational level and daily working hours differed significantly between sexes, with females having a higher educational level ( p = 0.014) and males reporting longer daily working hours ( p < 0.001). These findings represent unadjusted group differences and do not establish independent effects of biological sex. Significant sex differences were observed in quality of life domains, including vitality ( p = 0.003), social functioning ( p = 0.001), and emotional role difficulties ( p = 0.005), all of which were more adversely affected in females. Psychological status assessed by the Beck Depression Scale was also significantly worse in females ( p = 0.029). No significant sex differences were found in sports participation ( p = 0.247), with most males (84.6%) and females (63.6%) not engaging in physical activity. Pain intensity at rest ( p = 0.459) and during activity ( p = 0.809) did not differ significantly by sex; however, females more frequently reported higher VAS scores, while maximum activity-related pain was 7 in both groups.

Conclusion

LEVVs significantly impair quality of life and psychological well-being, with females showing greater deficits in vitality, social functioning, emotional role, and depressive symptoms than males. Although pain intensity did not differ significantly by sex, females reported higher perceived pain. These findings highlight the need for sex-specific management of lower extremity varicose veins that considers occupational and psychosocial factors.

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