A new study finds that wearing below-the-knee elastic compression stockings every day reduces chances of developing DVT complications for up to two years. The study is published in the August 17, 2004, issue of Annals of Internal Medicine .
Elastic compression stockings exert graduated pressure on the lower leg. They can be purchased in medical supply stores for $30 to $50.
In the new study, researchers in Padua, Italy, studied 180 patients diagnosed with a first episode of DVT. One group was assigned to wear below-knee graded compression elastic stockings every day; a control group did not wear the stockings. All patients also received appropriate anticoagulant care for DVT.
At the end of two years, patients who wore the compression stockings had developed fewer complications. The overall incidence of complications was reduced from 49 percent to 26 percent and the incidence of severe complications was reduced from 12 percent to 3.5 percent.
Said another way, at the end of two years, only 25 percent of patients who wore the stockings had developed post-blood clot complications compared with 49 percent of those who did not wear stockings.
"This study suggests that stocking therapy be routine after a deep-vein blood clot," said Jeffrey S. Ginsberg, MD, FRCPC, at McMaster University in Hamilton, Ontario, who wrote an editorial accompanying the article in Annals of Internal Medicine.
"The stockings are sometimes hard to get on; some find them unattractive, and, if the patient has only mild ankle swelling at the end of the day, frequently elevating the legs or avoiding long bouts of standing or sitting might be enough to reduce the symptoms," Dr. Ginsberg said.
"Still, elastic compression stockings, are a relatively inexpensive, noninvasive way to reduce risk of complications from DVT, and physicians and patients should consider them," Dr. Ginsberg said.
The study did not explain how the stockings work to reduce risk of the post-blood clot complications. Also, the stockings did not reduce repeat episodes of DVT but did reduce development of complications after a blood clot.
Annals of Internal Medicine is published in Philadelphia by the American College of Physicians, the largest medical-specialty organization and second-largest physician group in the United States. ACP members include 116,000 internal medicine physicians (internists), related subspecialists, and medical students. Internists specialize in the prevention, detection and treatment of illnesses in adults, reflected in the organization's trademarked phrase Doctors of Internal Medicine. Doctors for Adults.®
NOTES TO EDITOR:
For embargoed copies of the article, "Below-Knee Elastic Compression Stockings to Prevent the Post-Thrombotic Syndrome," and the editorial, "Routine Stocking Therapy after Deep Venous Thrombosis: a Clinical Dilemma," please call Penny Fuller, 1-800-523-1546, ext. 2653; pfuller@acponline.org
The study on compression stockings is the subject of a video news release in the American College of Physicians "Internal Medicine Report" series. Airdate: Monday, August 16, 2004. Call for an embargoed copy of the script. Coordinates: Monday, August 16, 2004 --- 10:00-10:15 AM ET. Monday, August 16, 2004 --- 2:00-2:15 PM ET. Galaxy 3 (c-band) Transponder 2 Downlink 3740 (V) Audio 6.2 & 6.8.
Annals of Internal Medicine