Pelvic Venous Congestion SyndromeNCT07680465
Prevalence of Pelvic Venous Congestion Syndrome in Female Patients With Lower Extremity Varicose Veins and Its Impact on Postoperative Quality of Life Improvement Following Radiofrequency Ablation: A Single-Center Prospective Cohort Study（PCSRFStudy）
An observational study of Pelvic Venous Congestion Syndrome and Lower Limb Varicose Veins, run by Chengdu University of Traditional Chinese Medicine at 1 site in China.
Trial summary
Research Summary: Impact of Pelvic Congestion Syndrome on Lower Limb Varicose Vein Treatment This prospective cohort study investigates the prevalence of Pelvic Congestion Syndrome (PCS) among women undergoing lower limb varicose vein ablation and its impact on post-operative quality of life. Read more about this study
- Who is it for?
- Ages 20 to 60 years, women onlyHealthy volunteers can take part
- Conditions the study is for
- Pelvic Venous Congestion Syndrome, Lower Limb Varicose Veins, Radiofrequency Ablation
- What is being tested?
- Pelvic MRI ， Radiofrequency Ablation
- Type of treatment
- Medical device
- How many people
- 300 participants
- Where
- 1 siteChina
- Study dates
- 8 May 2026to 30 Sep 2027
- How long will I take part?
- 12 Months
- Phase
- Observational
- Are there results?
- Not yet: the study is under way
Key requirements
Who can take part, as listed by the sponsor. Only the study team can confirm whether you are eligible, so take this list to your doctor.
- Ages 20 to 60 years
- Women only
- Healthy volunteers accepted
- Adult
Study population: Chronic pelvic pain is a common issue among women of reproductive age, with Pelvic Congestion Syndrome (PCS) being a significant etiological factor, second only to pelvic adhesions and endometriosis . The fundamental pathology of PCS is pelvic-genital-perineal venous insufficiency. The resulting venous hypertension not only causes chronic pelvic pain but can also become an important upstream cause for the development or exacerbation of lower limb varicose veins in women via the extensive pelvic-lower limb venous collaterals . However, systematic screening for PCS is generally lacking in current clinical practice for female patients scheduled for lower limb venous surgery. The 2025 French multi-society consensus clearly states that the diagnosis of PCS must be based on the triad of clinical symptoms, physical examination, and imaging evidence, while excluding other gynecological diseases, opposing diagnosis based solely on imaging findings of venous dilation. This leads to a s
Who may be able to join
- Female, aged 20-60 years.
- Symptomatic lower limb varicose veins, CEAP clinical class C2-C6, planned for ultrasound-guided radiofrequency ablation.
- Voluntary participation with signed informed consent.
Who cannot join
- History of deep vein thrombosis or previous lower limb venous surgery.
- Pregnancy, lactation, or planning pregnancy within 1 year.
- Severe systemic disease or active malignancy.
- Other established causes of chronic pelvic pain (Critical Modification).
Trial locations and contacts
1 site in 1 country.
China1 site
Hospital of Chengdu University of Traditional Chinese Medicine
Chengdu, Sichuang, 610072
About this study
Research Summary: Impact of Pelvic Congestion Syndrome on Lower Limb Varicose Vein Treatment
This prospective cohort study investigates the prevalence of Pelvic Congestion Syndrome (PCS) among women undergoing lower limb varicose vein ablation and its impact on post-operative quality of life.
Read more
Background PCS, a significant cause of chronic pelvic pain, results from pelvic venous insufficiency and hypertension. This pressure can transmit to the leg veins via pelvic-lower limb collaterals, potentially causing or exacerbating varicose veins. Despite this pathophysiological link, systematic PCS screening is absent in pre-operative assessments for lower limb venous surgery, leading to underdiagnosis and untreated root causes.
Objectives
Primary: Determine the prevalence of PCS in symptomatic women scheduled for radiofrequency ablation, using the latest international diagnostic criteria requiring both specific symptoms and imaging evidence while excluding other pathologies.
Secondary: Compare post-operative quality-of-life improvement between PCS-positive and PCS-negative patients and identify predictors of poorer outcomes.
Methodology This single-center prospective observational study enrolls women aged 20-60 with CEAP C2-C6 varicose veins planned for ablation. All patients undergo mandatory gynecological evaluation to rule out other pelvic diseases and a standardized pelvic MRI.
PCS diagnosis follows strict composite criteria:
Symptom Criteria: Presence of ≥2 typical symptoms (e.g., chronic pelvic pain >6 months) with a clear "venous pattern" (worsening with prolonged standing/sitting, relief with recumbency).
Imaging Criteria: MRI confirmation of significant pelvic venous dilation and tortuosity (e.g., ovarian/internal iliac veins).
Patients meeting both criteria form the PCS-positive cohort; others form the control group. Crucially, diagnosed PCS is not treated during the study phase. All receive only standard lower limb radiofrequency ablation. Follow-ups occur at 1, 6, and 12 months post-operation, with the primary outcome being the change in the vein-specific quality of life score (CIVIQ-20).
Innovation and Value This study innovates by systematically applying the latest multidisciplinary diagnostic consensus for PCS within a large venous surgery cohort and prioritizing patient-reported outcomes.
Its expected value is threefold:
To provide high-level evidence on the true prevalence of PCS in this population.
To inform clinical practice, potentially establishing a pre-operative PCS screening pathway to enable comprehensive treatment and avoid ineffective isolated leg vein procedures.
To identify PCS-positive patients as a high-risk subgroup, laying the essential groundwork for future randomized controlled trials comparing combined pelvic-lower limb interventions versus isolated leg vein treatment.
Conclusion By elucidating the association between PCS and lower limb venous disease outcomes, this study aims to shift the treatment paradigm from isolated management of leg veins to a holistic approach addressing the entire venous system in women.
- Being tested
- Pelvic MRI ， Radiofrequency Ablation
What participants receive
What participants receive. In a randomised study each person is assigned to one group by chance.
Pelvic MRI ， Radiofrequency AblationDevice
This single-center prospective cohort study is designed to investigate a critical yet underdiagnosed link in vascular medicine: the relationship between Pelvic Congestion Syndrome (PCS) and lower limb varicose veins (LLVVs) in women. The central hypothesis posits that PCS is a prevalent, often overlooked, upstream contributor to LLVVs, and its presence negatively impacts the quality-of-life outcomes following standard endovenous intervention for the lower limbs. By applying the latest international diagnostic standards and a rigorous multidisciplinary protocol, the study aims to generate high-level evidence that can transform the clinical pathway for female patients with venous disorders.
What is being measured
The primary outcome is the main question the study is designed to answer.
Change in CIVIQ-20 Score
Change in Chronic Venous Insufficiency Questionnaire (CIVIQ-20) score from baseline to 12 months after radiofrequency ablation.
Measured: Baseline and 12 months after treatment
Secondary outcomes (3)
Prevalence of Pelvic Congestion Syndrome
Prevalence of pelvic congestion syndrome diagnosed using predefined clinical and imaging criteria before treatment.
Measured: Baseline
Change in Venous Clinical Severity Score (VCSS)
Change in VCSS from baseline to 12 months after treatment.
Measured: Baseline and 12 months after treatment
Change in Pelvic Symptom Score
Change in pelvic symptom score from baseline to 12 months after treatment.
Measured: Baseline and 12 months after treatment
Timeline
From the start of the study to its completion; the mark is today. Estimated dates are the sponsor’s plan.
- First posted2 Jul 2026
- Study start8 May 2026
- Primary completion30 Sep 2026 (estimated)
- Study completion30 Sep 2027 (estimated)
Resources
- Official record on ClinicalTrials.govThe registry entry this page is built from, with its full change history.
- Other trials for Pelvic Venous Congestion SyndromeStudies of the same condition, open and under way.
- What the trial phases meanHow a treatment moves from first tests in people to approval.
More details
For doctors and researchers: how the study is designed, who runs it, and its registry IDs.
Study design
- Study type
- Observational
- Observational model
- Cohort
- Time perspective
- Prospective
- Enrolment
- 300 participants (estimated)
- Target duration
- 12 Months
Sponsor and investigators
- Lead sponsor
- Chengdu University of Traditional Chinese Medicine
- Sponsor type
- University, hospital or other
- Responsible party
- Principal investigator, Chunshui He, Chengdu University of Traditional Chinese Medicine
IDs, dates and publications
- ClinicalTrials.gov ID
- NCT07680465
- Sponsor's protocol ID
- ChengduUTCMpcs
- Status last verified
- Jun 2026
- First submitted
- 3 Jan 2026
- Last updated
- 2 Jul 2026
- Results posted
- No
- Data monitoring committee
- Yes
- FDA-regulated drug
- No
- FDA-regulated device
- No
- Individual data sharing
- Undecided
Study at a glance
From the registry record, last updated by the sponsor on 2 Jul 2026. Recruitment status is as the sponsor reported it: confirm with the study team.
- Official title
- Prevalence of Pelvic Venous Congestion Syndrome in Female Patients With Lower Extremity Varicose Veins and Its Impact on Postoperative Quality of Life Improvement Following Radiofrequency Ablation: A Single-Center Prospective Cohort Study（PCSRFStudy）
- ClinicalTrials.gov ID
- NCT07680465
- Acronym / sponsor ID
- ChengduUTCMpcs
- Study type
- Observational
- Recruitment status
- Active, not recruiting
- Enrolment
- 300 participants (estimated)
- Lead sponsor
- Chengdu University of Traditional Chinese MedicineUniversity, hospital or other
- Study start
- 8 May 2026 (actual)
- Primary completion
- 30 Sep 2026 (estimated)
- Study completion
- 30 Sep 2027 (estimated)
- First posted
- 2 Jul 2026 (actual)
- Results
- Not posted in the source record
Clinical summary
The research question as the sponsor registered it. This describes what the study plans to test, not what it found.
Research Summary: Impact of Pelvic Congestion Syndrome on Lower Limb Varicose Vein Treatment
This prospective cohort study investigates the prevalence of Pelvic Congestion Syndrome (PCS) among women undergoing lower limb varicose vein ablation and its impact on post-operative quality of life.
Background PCS, a significant cause of chronic pelvic pain, results from pelvic venous insufficiency and hypertension. This pressure can transmit to the leg veins via pelvic-lower limb collaterals, potentially causing or exacerbating varicose veins. Despite this pathophysiological link, systematic PCS screening is absent in pre-operative assessments for lower limb venous surgery, leading to underdiagnosis and untreated root causes.
Objectives
Primary: Determine the prevalence of PCS in symptomatic women scheduled for radiofrequency ablation, using the latest international diagnostic criteria requiring both specific symptoms and imaging evidence while excluding other pathologies.
Secondary: Compare post-operative quality-of-life improvement between PCS-positive and PCS-negative patients and identify predictors of poorer outcomes.
Methodology This single-center prospective observational study enrolls women aged 20-60 with CEAP C2-C6 varicose veins planned for ablation. All patients undergo mandatory gynecological evaluation to rule out other pelvic diseases and a standardized pelvic MRI.
PCS diagnosis follows strict composite criteria:
Symptom Criteria: Presence of ≥2 typical symptoms (e.g., chronic pelvic pain >6 months) with a clear "venous pattern" (worsening with prolonged standing/sitting, relief with recumbency).
Imaging Criteria: MRI confirmation of significant pelvic venous dilation and tortuosity (e.g., ovarian/internal iliac veins).
Patients meeting both criteria form the PCS-positive cohort; others form the control group. Crucially, diagnosed PCS is not treated during the study phase. All receive only standard lower limb radiofrequency ablation. Follow-ups occur at 1, 6, and 12 months post-operation, with the primary outcome being the change in the vein-specific quality of life score (CIVIQ-20).
Innovation and Value This study innovates by systematically applying the latest multidisciplinary diagnostic consensus for PCS within a large venous surgery cohort and prioritizing patient-reported outcomes.
Its expected value is threefold:
To provide high-level evidence on the true prevalence of PCS in this population.
To inform clinical practice, potentially establishing a pre-operative PCS screening pathway to enable comprehensive treatment and avoid ineffective isolated leg vein procedures.
To identify PCS-positive patients as a high-risk subgroup, laying the essential groundwork for future randomized controlled trials comparing combined pelvic-lower limb interventions versus isolated leg vein treatment.
Conclusion By elucidating the association between PCS and lower limb venous disease outcomes, this study aims to shift the treatment paradigm from isolated management of leg veins to a holistic approach addressing the entire venous system in women.
Study design
- Observational model
- Cohort
- Time perspective
- Prospective
- Target follow-up
- 12 Months
Who may qualify
- Ages
- 20 to 60 years
- Sex
- Female only
- Healthy volunteers
- Accepted
- Age groups
- Adult
- Study population
- Chronic pelvic pain is a common issue among women of reproductive age, with Pelvic Congestion Syndrome (PCS) being a significant etiological factor, second only to pelvic adhesions and endometriosis . The fundamental pathology of PCS is pelvic-genital-perineal venous insufficiency. The resulting venous hypertension not only causes chronic pelvic pain but can also become an important upstream cause for the development or exacerbation of lower limb varicose veins in women via the extensive pelvic-lower limb venous collaterals . However, systematic screening for PCS is generally lacking in current clinical practice for female patients scheduled for lower limb venous surgery. The 2025 French multi-society consensus clearly states that the diagnosis of PCS must be based on the triad of clinical symptoms, physical examination, and imaging evidence, while excluding other gynecological diseases, opposing diagnosis based solely on imaging findings of venous dilation. This leads to a s
Key inclusion criteria (3 listed)
- Female, aged 20-60 years.
- Symptomatic lower limb varicose veins, CEAP clinical class C2-C6, planned for ultrasound-guided radiofrequency ablation.
- Voluntary participation with signed informed consent.
Key exclusion criteria (4 listed)
- History of deep vein thrombosis or previous lower limb venous surgery.
- Pregnancy, lactation, or planning pregnancy within 1 year.
- Severe systemic disease or active malignancy.
- Other established causes of chronic pelvic pain (Critical Modification).
Eligibility is decided by the study team after screening; this overview does not establish that a patient qualifies. Full inclusion and exclusion criteria.
Interventions
| Intervention | Type | Arms |
|---|---|---|
| Pelvic MRI ， Radiofrequency AblationThis single-center prospective cohort study is designed to investigate a critical yet underdiagnosed link in vascular medicine: the relationship between Pelvic Congestion Syndrome (PCS) and lower limb varicose veins (LLVVs) in women. The central hypothesis posits that PCS is a prevalent, often overlooked, upstream contributor to LLVVs, and its presence negatively impacts the quality-of-life outcomes following standard endovenous intervention for the lower limbs. By applying the latest international diagnostic standards and a rigorous multidisciplinary protocol, the study aims to generate high-level evidence that can transform the clinical pathway for female patients with venous disorders. | Device | – |
Primary outcome
Change in CIVIQ-20 Score
Time frame: Baseline and 12 months after treatment
Change in Chronic Venous Insufficiency Questionnaire (CIVIQ-20) score from baseline to 12 months after radiofrequency ablation.
3 secondary outcomes
Prevalence of Pelvic Congestion Syndrome
Time frame: Baseline
Change in Venous Clinical Severity Score (VCSS)
Time frame: Baseline and 12 months after treatment
Change in Pelvic Symptom Score
Time frame: Baseline and 12 months after treatment
Results and safety
This study is still under way. Results are not available in the source record yet.
Research links
- Official record on ClinicalTrials.govLast updated by the sponsor 2 Jul 2026.
- Individual participant dataSharing planned: Undecided
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Referral and contact
AzTrials does not enrol participants or take referrals. Contact the study team or a site listed below; they decide who can take part. This study is not recruiting at the moment.
The record lists no contact. Use the official record to reach the sponsor.
1 site in 1 country: see every site and its status.
Questions about this trial
What is this clinical trial studying?
An observational study of Pelvic Venous Congestion Syndrome and Lower Limb Varicose Veins, run by Chengdu University of Traditional Chinese Medicine at 1 site in China.
The full registered description is in the About this study section and the official record.
Who may be eligible to take part?
The sponsor lists 3 inclusion and 4 exclusion criteria. Eligibility is decided by the study team after screening, so read the full criteria and contact a listed site.
Is this clinical trial currently recruiting?
The record says: under way, not looking for participants, as of the sponsor's last update on 2 Jul 2026. Status can change between updates, so confirm with the study contact before making plans.
Where is the study taking place?
The record lists 1 site in China. Whether a site is taking part right now should be confirmed with that site. See every site.
What are the possible benefits and risks?
They depend on the study and the treatment, and no study can promise a benefit. The study team explains the known risks during informed consent, before anyone joins; the record itself does not list them.
Are results available for this study?
This study is still under way. Results are not available in the source record yet.
How can a doctor refer a patient or contact the research team?
The record lists no contact. The official record names the sponsor, who can be asked directly. AzTrials does not enrol participants or take referrals.
What does the primary outcome measure?
Change in CIVIQ-20 Score (time frame: Baseline and 12 months after treatment). It is what the study was designed to measure, not a finding.
Where can I read the original study information?
Does a listing mean the treatment is approved or proven to work?
No. A listing means the study is registered. It does not show that the treatment is safe, works, or is approved by a regulator.
How often is this information updated?
AzTrials copies changed records from ClinicalTrials.gov every night and reloads the whole registry every week. The sponsor last updated this record on 2 Jul 2026.