Influence of medical stockings on quality of life and venous haemodynamics in patients with chronic venous insufficiency

Aim: We evaluated stockings of different compression classes with respect to their effect on venous haemodynamics, subjective symptoms, and wearing comfort in patients with chronic venous insufficiency in clinical stages I and II according to Widmer. Patients and methods: 31 patients were enrolled in the study, 16 of whom were in stage I and 15 in stage II according to Widmer. Three different compression classes (CCL I, CCI II, and support stockings) were evaluated. The following porameters were analyzed in correlation with compression product and clinical stage: lower leg volume (optoelectronic scon and water displacement plethysmography), dynamic venous function (dynamic mercury strain gauge plethysmography), quality of life and subjective assessment of wearing comfort and effectiveness. Results: In the group of patients in stage I according to Widmer there was a reduction in lower leg volume of 35.3 +/- 39.2 ml (p < 0.01) after wearing support stockings. Compression class I stockings reduced lower leg volume by 38.1 +/- 24.0 ml (p < 0.001), compression class II stockings by 70.1 +/- 38.1 ml (p < 0.001). In the group of patients in Widmer stage II there was a reduction in lower leg volume of 34.6 +/- 70.7 ml (p = 0.08) after wearing support stockings. Compression class I stockings reduced lower leg volume by 54.4 +/- 75.1 ml (p < 0.02), compression class II stockings by 66.0 +/- 73.3 ml (p < 0.01). Conclusions: The most effective reduction in lower leg volume, approx. 70 ml, was attained in both clinical groups by compression class II. The patients in clinical stage I reported the greatest improvement in quality of life after wearing class II compression stockings. In the stage II patient group, the assessment of quality of life was less uniform. If all parameters are token into account, the majority of patients would choose to use compression class I products.