[Chronic venous disorders and chronic venous diseases: concepts and evaluation]

The field of chronic venous disorders suffered, in the past, from lack of precision in diagnosis and classification. These deficiencies led to conflicting reports in studies of management of specific venous problems. To solve these troubles, the CEAP classification for chronic venous disorders was created in 1994, and was incorporated into the International Reporting Standard in Venous Disorders, in 1995. Actually it is generally accepted and used. In 2004 an "ad hoc" committee of the American Venous Forum working with an international liaison committee, has recommended a number of practical changes, that include a refinement of several definitions used in describing these disorders and a simpler alternative to the full (advanced) CEAP classification, the so called basic CEAP version. The author presents a revision of this document and adapts the nomenclature used to the portuguese language. He gives special attention to the fact that CEAP classification is a descriptive one which is associated to a venous severity and a quality of life scores that are instruments for longitudinal research to assess outcomes. Finally the author advises to use of these scores specially when it is necessary to evaluate the outcomes of the treatment with veno- active drugs.