LONG-TERM PREVENTION OF SEQUELAE OF CHRONIC VENOUS DISEASE WITH GRADUATED-COMPRESSION STOCKINGS

Chronic venous insufficiency (CVI) with associated venous hypertension may lead to stasis dermatitis and ulceration. This sixty-month study determined whether compliance with the use of below-the-knee graduated -compression hosiery affected long-term clinical manifestations. At on e year, 105 patients of 284 (37%) were compliant and 179 (63%) were no t. At 2 pears, of the available compliant patients (89), none had skin changes; 28% of the available (51) noncompliant patients had skin cha nges; and 13 of this group (51) had ulceration. At sixty months, of 79 compliant patients available, none had ulceration and 11 had stasis c hanges, Of noncompliant patients (119) available for assessment, 63 (5 3%) have chronic skin changes. Compliance with the use of gradient com pression below-the-knee stockings reduces the incidence of venous stas is disease and ulceration.