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Objectives: This study compares Endovenous Laser Ablation (EVLA) alone versus combined with ultrasound-guided foam sclerotherapy (UGFS) for Great Saphenous Vein (GSV) insufficiency. Methods: Sixty patients were randomly allocated to EVLA or EVLA-UGFS groups which focused on GSV occlusion rates, complications, additional treatments, and quality of life (QoL) changes. Results: Among 55 participants, the EVLA group had higher 12-month occlusion rates (92.3% vs. 75.8%, p = 0.11). Nervous injury (NI) was rarer in EVLA-UGFS (3.4% vs. 23.1%, p = 0.04). No significant difference in other complication rates ( p > 0.05). QoL improved in both groups ( p < 0.001). EVLA-UGFS required more subsequent procedures (24.1% vs. 7.7%, p = 0.03). Conclusions: EVLA and EVLA-UGFS effectively treat GSV insufficiency, enhancing QoL. The combined method reduces NI risk but may require more follow-up procedures., Competing Interests: Declaration of conflicting interestsThe author(s) declared no potential conflicts of interest with respect to the research, authorship, and/or publication of this article.

To analyze the presence of gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD) and dysphagia in patients with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) and evaluate associated factors. Cross-sectional study part of a large cohort study. The Dysphagia Handicap Index (DHI), Gastroesophageal Reflux Disease Symptoms Questionnaire (QS-GERD) and The Eating Assessment Tool (EAT-10) were applied. A medical consultation, spirometry examination, and health status assessments (by modified Medical Research Council scale - mMRC, COPD Assessment Test - CAT, Saint George Respiratory Questionnaire - SGRQ) were performed on the same day as the DHI, QS-GERD and EAT-10. Thirty-four individuals participated in the study, with a mean age of 65.2 (SD=7.9) complete years with COPD, 52.9% being female, and a body mass index of 26.6 (SD=6.3) kg/m². Eleven individuals were classified as having risk for dysphagia. The evaluation of gastroesophageal reflux symptoms through the QS-DRGE showed moderate correlation with EAT-10. The GERD-SQ instrument showed moderate correlation with the SGRQ, as well as in the three domains, finding that the presence of GERD symptoms is a factor that is associated with worsening quality of life. It is concluded that patients with COPD present symptoms of dysphagia and gastroesophageal reflux. In this study, it was found that the presence of GERD symptoms and swallowing disorders are factors associated with worsening quality of life. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]