Early Venous Reflux Ablation Ulcer Trial

For the purposes of this study, ulcer healing is defined as complete re-epithelialisation of all ulceration on the randomised (reference) leg in the absence of a scab (eschar) with no dressing required.

Healing rate will be reported at 24 weeks using the percentage of participants with a healed ulcer

Will be calculated up to 1 year for each study arm and with the extension, up to 5 years (median approximately 3.7 years). This will allow a very practical and easily understood assessment of the clinical difference between the 2 arms of the study. This will also allow comparison with other studies that have reported this outcome. In order to facilitate accurate calculation of reoccurrence / ulcer free time, clinical follow up will be continued after ulcer healing up to 1 year after randomisation.

Disease specific (AVVQ) quality of life

The Aberdeen Varicose Vein Questionnaire (AVVQ) is a validated patient-reported disease-specific health questionnaire to assess quality of life in patients with varicose veins. The AVVQ comprises a diagram on which patients draw on their varicose veins and a questionnaire with 12 questions, half of which require a response for each leg. The scores range from 0 to 100 (no effect to severe effect).

Generic (SF-36) quality of life assessment

The Short Form questionnaire-36 items (SF-36) is a generic quality-of-life tool used to determine people's physical and mental health. It has been validated in many patient groups, including those with varicose veins. The physical domain measures physical functioning, physical role limitations, body pain and general health, whereas the mental dimension measures vitality, social functioning, mental health role limitations and general mental health. Two separate scores are produced (separate physical/mental component summary scores), in addition to the eight separate domain scores. Each score is measured on a scale of 0 to 100 (worst to best). Scores represent the percentage of total possible score achieved.

The EuroQol-5 Dimensions (EQ-5D) is a widely recognised, generic tool to measure health outcomes and has been validated in a variety of patient groups, including those with venous leg ulcers. The EQ-5D questionnaire comprises two sections; the first assesses the participant's mobility, self-care, ability to perform usual activities, pain/discomfort and anxiety/depression levels, and the second records the participant's self-rated health on a vertical score of 0 to 100.

A within-RCT cost effectiveness analysis will be carried out based on the data collected in the trial, Resource use items in hospital and community care related to the treatment of venous ulceration or complications will be recorded for each patient at each follow-up. Resource use will be multiplied by UK unit costs obtained from published literature, HRG costs, and manufacturers' list prices to calculate overall costs. A standard tariff will be applied for each bandage change. Utilities (QALYs) will be calculated from the EQ-5D questionnaire administered to patients

The presence of residual / recurrent varicose veins remaining on the venous duplex. Any reflux detected by the vascular scientists (as per local scanning policies) is recorded as presence of residual reflux and therefore considered incomplete clinical success. No presence of residual reflux is considered clinical success. (Clinical-Etiology-Anatomy-Pathophysiology) ranges from C0 which means absolutely no venous disease that can be seen or felt in the legs to C6 which means an open and active venous leg ulcer. For this outcome measure: Healed venous leg ulcer (C5), Active venous leg ulcer (C6).

The Venous Clinical Severity Score (VCSS) is a component of the Venous Severity Scoring System designed in 2000 by an ad hoc American Venous Forum committee consensus, in order to compliment the CEAP classification and quantify the severity of disease and subsequent improvement or decline. The VCSS has 10 components (pain, varicose veins, venous oedema, skin pigmentation, inflammation, induration, compression used and active ulcer, duration, number and size), each with four categories assigned values of 0-3. The overall scores can range from 0 (lowest severity) to 30 (highest severity).

Number of complications related to the endovenous intervention