Chronic Venous Disease: The Treatment is Clear… But Do Patients Follow It? - with D. Celovska & A. Pathak

In this episode of the ESVS Podcast, supported by Servier, we explore the importance of therapy adherence in chronic venous disease (CVD). The episode opens with short patient testimonies, highlighting real-world reasons for non-adherence.

To explore this further, we are joined by Professor Denisa Celovska and Professor Atul Pathak. Professor Celovska is an Associate Professor of Angiology and Internal Medicine at the University Hospital and Comenius University in Bratislava, Slovakia. She is currently the President of the Slovak Angiology Society. Professor Pathak is the Head of the National Institute of Cardiology, Cardiac Surgery and Interventional Cardiology in Luxembourg.

In this episode, they share their clinical perspective on why patients frequently disengage from treatment, the most common barriers to adherence in daily practice, and practical strategies to improve long-term treatment persistence.

The episode also includes insights from a community pharmacist, offering a complementary view on what happens between prescription and real-life use, particularly regarding venoactive drugs. We conclude by emphasising that effective CVD management extends beyond prescribing treatment. Patient education, shared decision-making, follow-up, and human connection are essential to improve adherence and long-term outcomes in CVD.

References:

1. Kim H, Cho S, Lee K, Lee SH, Joh JH. A nationwide study of compliance of venoactive drugs in chronic venous disease patients. Ann Surg Treat Res. 2023 May;104(5):288-295. doi: 10.4174/astr.2023.104.5.288. Epub 2023 Apr 28. PMID: 37179697; PMCID: PMC10172027.
2. Burnier M. The role of adherence in patients with chronic diseases. Eur J Intern Med. 2024 Jan;119:1-5. doi: 10.1016/j.ejim.2023.07.008. Epub 2023 Jul 20. PMID: 37479633.
3. Mezalek ZT, Feodor T, Chernukha L, Chen Z, Rueda A, Sánchez IE, Ochoa AJG, Chirol J, Blanc-Guillemaud V, Lohier-Durel C, Ulloa JH. VEIN STEP: A Prospective, Observational, International Study to Assess Effectiveness of Conservative Treatments in Chronic Venous Disease. Adv Ther. 2023 Nov;40(11):5016-5036. doi: 10.1007/s12325-023-02643-6. Epub 2023 Sep 20. Erratum in: Adv Ther. 2024 Jan;41(1):464-465. doi: 10.1007/s12325-023-02722-8. Erratum in: Adv Ther. 2024 Jun;41(6):2540-2541. doi: 10.1007/s12325-024-02857-2. PMID: 37728696; PMCID: PMC10567827.
4. Bogachev, V., Arribas, J.M.J., Baila, S. et al. Management and evaluation of treatment adherence and effectiveness in chronic venous disorders: results of the international study VEIN Act Program. Drugs Ther Perspect 35, 396–404 (2019). https://doi.org/10.1007/s40267-019-00637-5
5. Golna C, Poimenidou C, Giannoukari EE, Saridi M, Liberopoulos E, Souliotis K. Assessing a pharmacist-enabled intervention to improve adherence to medication for hypertension, dyslipidemia, and chronic venous circulation disorders in Greece. Patient Prefer Adherence. 2023;17:3341–3352. doi:10.2147/PPA.S420811

6. Branisteanu DE, Munteanu AE, Dolofan BM, Popescu EG, Vittos O. Adherence to pharmacological treatment in chronic venous disease: results of a real-world, prospective, observational cohort study. Life (Basel). 2025;15(3):377. doi:10.3390/life15030377.

7. Ulloa JH, Guerra D, Cadavid LG, Fajardo D, Villarreal R, Bayona G, Hoyos AS, Garcia G. Nonoperative approach for symptomatic patients with chronic venous disease: results from the VEIN Act program. Phlebolymphology. 2018;25(2):123

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