Factors associated with postoperative care among patients with varicose veins of the lower extremities.

OBJECTIVE

Varicose veins of the lower extremities are a prevalent chronic vascular condition. Effective postoperative self-management is crucial for recovery and preventing complications. However, there is limited understanding of the factors influencing patients' self-management following surgical intervention. The objectives of this study were to investigate level of postoperative self-management ability and identify sociodemographic, clinical procedural, and health education factors that impact on postoperative self-management among patients with varicose veins of the lower extremities.

METHODS

A cross-sectional study was conducted using convenience sampling. A total of 622 patients from the Department of Vascular Surgery at a tertiary hospital in Xiamen completed the telephone survey between January 2022 and December 2022. Data were collected via a structured questionnaire, including sociodemographic, clinical procedural, health education, and self-management scales. Statistical analyses included univariate and bivariate analyses to identify key influencing factors.

RESULTS

The overall score of postoperative self-management ability of patients with varicose veins of the lower extremities was moderately high (mean, 24.27). Sociodemographic, clinical procedural, and health education factors significantly impacted patient postoperative self-management. Sociodemographic characteristics, including gender, age, education level, living arrangement, and monthly income significantly impacted the postoperative self-management. Clinical manifestations-etiology-anatomy-pathophysiology (CEAP) classification, types of surgery, and postoperative time also significantly affected the postoperative self-management. Health education received after surgery and health education methods impacted the postoperative self-management ability of patients with varicose veins in the lower extremities.

CONCLUSIONS

Postoperative self-management was moderately high among patients with varicose veins of the lower extremities, but gaps in knowledge about complications and adherence to recommended practices were noted. Targeted, evidence-based health education tailored to individual patient characteristics can significantly improve self-management outcomes. This study underscores the importance of personalized interventions in enhancing patient-centered care and optimizing long-term recovery outcomes.