Gd. Motykie et al., Evaluation of therapeutic compression stockings in the treatment of chronic venous insufficiency, DERM SURG, 25(2), 1999, pp. 116-120
BACKGROUND. Chronic venous insufficiency (CVI) affects a significant portio
n of the world's population, causing substantial morbidity and medical expe
nditure. Its pathophysiology is based on venous hypertension in the lower e
xtremities, with vascular compression therapy remaining the foundation of i
ts medical management.
OBJECTIVE. TO evaluate the effectiveness of therapeutic compression stockin
gs in the treatment of lower extremity CVI.
METHODS. A group of 112 patients with CVI received graduated-compression st
ockings and rated the severity of their symptoms on a five-point scale befo
re wearing the stockings, and then again after 1 and 16 months of treatment
. Patient complaints associated with stocking use and patient compliance ra
tes were also recorded at 1 and 16 months.
RESULTS. A statistically significant improvement (p < 0.001) was reported i
n patient severity scores for lower extremity swelling, pain, skin discolor
ation, activity tolerance, depression and sleeping problems after 1 and 16
months of treatment with compression stockings.
CONCLUSION. Therapeutic graduated-compression stockings are an effective tr
eatment for CVI of the lower extremities.