About the Aberdeen Varicose Vein Questionnaire (AVVQ)
The AVVQ is a widely used, disease-specific questionnaire for adults with lower limb varicose veins. It covers pain, swelling, skin complications, appearance, and the impact of veins on daily activities. Lower scores mean less impact on your life.
Medical Specialties
Anatomic Areas
Clinical Indications
Developer Information
Developed at the University of Aberdeen (A. M. Garratt and colleagues); widely used in UK NHS vascular services and international venous disease research.
Copyright & Licensing
The AVVQ is subject to copyright and licensing through the University of Aberdeen. Commercial or large-scale use may require permission. Patient Watch provides this digital adaptation for data capture; licensees remain responsible for complying with applicable instrument rights.
Administration Instructions
Intended for adults with leg varicose veins who can read and complete self-report items. Use standard instructions to complete all items. If an item does not apply, discuss with your clinician whether to omit it (omitted items are excluded from the denominator of the total score).
Scoring Methodology
This digital version uses a 0-22 self-rated extent item (item 1) as the analogue of the paper leg diagram (maximum 22 points on the original instrument) and twelve ordinal items (items 2-13) scored 0-6 each, where higher values mean worse problems. The total score is calculated as: 100 multiplied by the sum of completed item scores, divided by the maximum possible score for those completed items (22 plus 6 times the number of completed items from 2-13). This mirrors the original rescaling approach (observed sum divided by maximum possible sum, multiplied by 100). Scores range from 0 (best) to 100 (worst).
Meaningful Change Threshold
Published estimates vary by language version and population. Several studies report minimal clinically important differences in the region of 3 to 5 points on the 0-100 scale; surgical trials often show larger mean improvements. Use cohort-specific anchors where available.
Score Interpretation
Understanding what your score means
low impact
0 - 20Relatively low reported impact from veins
moderate impact
21 - 40Moderate impact on symptoms, skin or activities
high impact
41 - 100Substantial impact; detailed clinical assessment often warranted
Subscales
This questionnaire measures multiple dimensions
Complications
Swelling, itching, eczema and ulceration
Cosmetic appearance
Concern about appearance and effect on clothing
Degree of varicosity
Visible extent, compression use and skin discolouration
Pain and dysfunction
Pain, analgesia use, and interference with work and leisure
Clinical Limitations & Considerations
This implementation simplifies some original response categories into a harmonised 0-6 scale for items 2-13 and replaces the drawn leg diagram with a 0-22 extent rating. Scores are not guaranteed to be numerically identical to conventionally scored paper forms or every validated tablet port. Bilateral left/right detail from some paper versions is collapsed into single items.
Supporting Literature
Key validation and development studies for the Aberdeen Varicose Vein Questionnaire (AVVQ)
- 1
Towards measurement of outcome for patients with varicose veins
Garratt AM, Macdonald LM, Ruta DA, Russell IT, Buckingham JK, Krukowski ZH
Quality in Health Care, 1993
- 2
Evaluating and improving health-related quality of life in patients with varicose veins
Smith JJ, Garratt AM, Guest M, Greenhalgh RM, Davies AH
Journal of Vascular Surgery, 1999
- 3
Validity and Reliability of the Hungarian Version of Aberdeen Varicose Vein Questionnaire
Kiss G, Szabó D, Tékus E, Jancsó G, Arató E, Makai A, Járomi M, Mintál T
International Journal of Environmental Research and Public Health, 2022
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This questionnaire is provided free of charge. Patient Watch charges only for platform services (data storage, automated reminders, analytics) - not for use of clinical instruments. This non-commercial model supports academic and clinical use. View full licensing disclosure