Ann Phlebology.  2023 Jun;21(1):28-32. 10.37923/phle.2023.21.1.28.

Correlation of Nocturnal Leg Cramps with Duplex Ultrasonography Findings in the Lower Extremity Chronic Venous Disease

• Hong KP

• KMID: 2549998
• DOI: http://doi.org/10.37923/phle.2023.21.1.28

Abstract

Objective
This study aimed to determine the correlation between nocturnal leg cramps and duplex ultrasound scanning (DUS) findings in patients with lower-extremity chronic venous disease with incompetent saphenous veins.
Methods
A total of 1668 limbs from 888 patients with signs and symptoms of chronic venous disease (CVD) were evaluated using DUS from April 2017 to December 2020. Limbs with saphenous vein reflux were selected for this study. Patients with a history of treatment for varicose veins, including sclerotherapy, were excluded from the study. The clinical data and DUS results were obtained retrospectively from medical records and analyzed.
Results
Nine hundred and forty limbs from 582 patients were included in this study, 66% were female patients, and the mean age was 55 (19∼86) years. There were no statistically significant differences in the distribution of sex, laterality, and CEAP clinical stage between the legs with or without nocturnal leg cramps. Age and body mass index were significantly different between legs with and without nocturnal leg cramps (p=0.02 for age and p=0.03 for BMI), but the correlations were weak (Cramer’s V=0.11 for age and 0.08 for BMI). The distribution of incompetent saphenous veins, deep vein insufficiency, and the diameter and reflux duration of incompetent saphenous veins did not correlate with nocturnal leg cramps.
Conclusion
Nocturnal leg cramps were not correlated with the distribution of valve failure in the venous system of the lower extremities.

Keyword

Nocturnal leg cramps; Duplex ultrasonography; Saphenous vein; Varicose veins