ELASTIC COMPRESSION STOCKINGS - DURABILITY OF PRESSURE IN DAILY PRACTICE

Background: Elastic compression stockings are valuable tools in the tr eatment of many phlebological diseases. As to day no data are availabl e about how long these elastic compression stockings continue to exert enough compression for a proper clinical function. Patients and metho ds: In this study we measured the pressure at the B level of compressi on class II and III elastic stockings directly after the patients star ted to use them, after I month, and after 3 months. In total 99 below knee stocking were measured with a TNO-tester which has officially bee n accepted by the CEN for measurement of elastic compression stockings . Results: Class II flat knitted stockings showed a mean pressure of 2 9.3 (SD 4.9) mmHg at the start of the study, declining to 27.6 (SD 5.2 ) mmHg, and 26.5 (SD 4.4) mmHg, at I and 3 months respectively. The ro und knitted class II had comparable results. In class III flat knitted stockings we measured 47.5 mmHg (SD 8.1) at the start, and 44.2 (SD 7 .1) mmHg, and 41.3 (SD 6.7) mmHg, at I and 3 months respectively. Extr apolation of the results after I and 3 months demonstrate that the mea n pressure of class II stocking is less than 25 mmHg after 4 to 5 mont hs. Class III stockings were less than 35 mmHg close to 6 months, if e valuated in the same way. Individual regression analysis show that aft er 6 months 66% of the pressure class II stockings have a pressure of less than 25 mmHg and 45% of the pressure class III less than 35 mmHg. When considering a 10% safety margin the figures are respectively 84% and 63%. Conclusions: From the results of this study it can be conclu ded that, especially for the most frequently used compression class II stockings, three new stockings each year are necessary to ensure an e ffective function of the stocking during the time they are being used by the patient. For compression class III flat knit ted stockings two pairs can be considered as sufficient.