MICROCIRCULATORY EFFECTS OF ELASTIC STOCKINGS IN DIABETIC MICROANGIOPATHY - A 24-WEEK STUDY

Patients with diabetic microangiopathy were studied by laser-Doppler f lowmetry-measuring skin blood flux at rest (RF) and the venoarteriolar response (VAR) and evaluating the rate of ankle swelling (RAS) to stu dy capillary filtration. After randomisation, 38 patients were treated for 24 weeks with below-knee elastic stockings; and 36-acting as cont rols-were left without elastic compression. After 12 and 24 weeks, the re were no significant changes in the control group, while there was a significant improvement of the microcirculatory parameters in patient s using stockings. RF (increased at the beginning of the study) was si gnificantly decreased, the VAR (impaired at the beginning of the study ) improved significantly and the abnormally increased capillary filtra tion decreased. Elastic stockings seem to be useful in diabetic microa ngiopathy improving microcirculatory parameters and decreasing capilla ry-filtration and oedema. These effects may improve diabetic microangi opathy and possibly slow down its rate of progression.