Assessment of lower extremity venous insufficiency and lipedema and their association with knee symptoms, functions, and quality of life in patients with knee osteoarthritis.

Objective: To evaluate the effects of the venous insufficiency (VI) or lipedema on the symptoms, functions, and quality of life (QoL) of patients with knee osteoarthritis (OA).

Methods: 96 patients with stage 3/4 knee OA were included in the study. Patients were grouped as OA (n = 35), VI + OA (n = 35), and lipedema + OA (n = 26). Range of motion (ROM), Visual Analogue Scale (VAS), Western Ontario and McMaster Universities Osteoarthritis Index (WOMAC), short-form (SF-36), and 6-minute walking test (6MWT) were evaluated.

Results: WOMAC stiffness score was significantly higher in the VI group than the other groups (p < .05). VAS resting, WOMAC pain, function, and total scores were significantly higher in the lipedema + OA and VI + OA groups than the OA group (p < .05). SF-36-physical role limitation was significantly lower in the lipedema and VI groups (p < .05).

Conclusions: VI or lipedema accompanying knee OA increases the existing disability due to OA by negatively affecting patients regarding pain, QoL, and physical functioning.