Ethanolgel sclerotherapy of venous malformations improves health-related quality-of-life in adults and children – results of a prospective study

To assess the treatment-induced changes of health-related quality-of-life (HRQoL) in patients with venous malformations (VM) who underwent ethanol gel sclerotherapy. The prospective study in children and adults was approved by the local ethics committee. 31 patients (mean age 23.42 years, range 6.6 - 46.5; 26 female, 5 male) with VM were included. Patients' self-assessed HRQoL was measured before and after treatment using psychometrically validated questionnaires for adults and children. Differences were analysed with a paired t test. 58 sclerotherapy sessions were performed. The Physical Component Summary (PCS) at baseline was 43.69 and increased significantly (p = 0.01122) to 48.95 after treatment. The bodily pain (BP) scale increased significantly from 37.94 to 48.56 (p = 0.00002), the general health (GH) scale increased significantly from 46.69 to 52.17 (p = 0.00609). Baseline Physical Summary Score (PHS) in children increased significantly after treatment (p < 0.00001) from 25.25 to 45.89. The baseline Psychosocial Summary Score (PSS) in children was 51.08 and increased significantly (p = 0.00031) after treatment to 58.84. Paediatric and adult patients with VM suffer from bodily pain with overall reduced physical functioning. After sclerotherapy, these restrictions are successfully returning to normal levels with a positive effect on mental and psychosocial domains. aEuro cent Sclerotherapy in venous malformation patients has an unknown effect on health-related quality-of-life aEuro cent Prospective study showed improvements in bodily pain and general health in adults aEuro cent Children and adults improved from treatment with ethanol gel aEuro cent Sclerotherapy is an appropriate therapy