PVVQ reflects 4 main dimensions of a person’s physical and mental health: pain, physical and social activity, and psychological well-being, which are the most informative criteria for self-assessment of QOL. Each dimension includes 5 questions that maximally reveal the depth of pathological changes occurring in PCS in terms of the studied health factor.
The QOL assessment is carried out using a special form with 20 questions, each with a 5-score scale (1, normal; 2, mild; 3, moderate; 4, severe; and 5, very severe disturbances) (Tables I-IV).

Table I. The Pelvic Varicose Veins Questionnaire (PVVQ): pain syndrome.

Have you experienced the pain described below in the last 4 weeks? If so, what was the intensity?

Lower abdominal pain that’s getting worse in the 2nd phase of the menstrual cycle (from day 14 or 15) (not during menstrual bleeding)

Pain during and/or after sexual intercourse

Pain in the area of sacrum and coccyx during prolonged sitting

Pain in the lumbar and inguinal areas, worsening by the end of the working day and after physical exertion

Tenderness and hypersensitivity in the perineum and vulva

Table II. The Pelvic Varicose Veins Questionnaire (PVVQ): physical dimension.

How much have the below manifestations disturbed you or limited your daily physical activity during the last 4 weeks?

Heaviness and discomfort in the lower abdomen and/or perineum

Urination disorder (painful and frequent urination, urinary incontinence, feeling of incomplete emptying of the bladder)

Varicose veins of the external genitalia, perineum, posterior thigh, or gluteal areas

Violations of the menstrual cycle (irregular timing and duration of bleeding, heavy or poor bleeding)

Premenstrual syndrome and/or painful periods

Table III. The Pelvic Varicose Veins Questionnaire (PVVQ): social dimension.

To what extent did the manifestations of the disease limit your social activity when performing the actions listed below?

Professional duties

Daily house activity (cooking, keeping the baby in your arms, washing and ironing the clothes, washing the floor and cleaning, gardening)

Shopping

Going to the theater, cinema, or visiting friends

Doing sports/fitness activities

Table IV. The Pelvic Varicose Veins Questionnaire (PVVQ): psychological dimension.

Manifestations of the disease can also affect mental balance. To what extent do the following phrases correspond to how you felt during the past 4 weeks?

I’m screwed up, annoyed

I quickly get tired

I feel that I burden my relatives

I am suffering from depression, tearfulness, insomnia

I have a heightened sense of anxiety

Your score:

0

Interpretation:

The lower the summary score, the better the QOL from the patient’s perspective. The summary score for all 20 questions is interpreted as the following:
20, the highest (best) QOL;
21-40, mild impairment of QOL;
41-60, moderate impairment of QOL;
61-80, severe impairment of QOL;
81-100, gross violation of QOL.