The effect of compression stockings on the complaints well-being and sleep quality of pregnant women with restless legs syndrome: a randomized controlled study

SUMMARY OBJECTIVE: The aim of this study was to determine the effect of compression stockings on complaints, well-being, and sleep quality in pregnant women with restless legs syndrome. METHODS: This randomized placebo-controlled study was conducted on 63 pregnant women (placebo group [PG]=31; experimental group [EG]=32) at the Perinatology Outpatient Clinic of a Health Research and Application Centre in Turkey. Pregnant women in the experimental group wore compression stockings when they got up in the morning for 3 weeks and took them off at bedtime. Placebo group women wore a placebo stocking. Data were collected using the restless legs syndrome Severity Rating Scale, the Pittsburgh Sleep Quality Index, the World Health Organization-5 Well-Being Index, and the Application Satisfaction Form on the 22nd day of the first interview. Statistical significance was accepted as p<0.05. RESULTS: Post-test mean scores of both the experimental group and placebo group in the restless legs syndrome Severity Rating Scale (post-test:;8.87±5.27, 12.19±5.60; pre-test:;21.28±5.63, 21.0±5.61; p<0.05), the Pittsburgh Sleep Quality Index (post-test:;5.34±3.28, 6.12±3.12; pre-test:;10.15±4.23, 9.61±4.59; p<0.05), and Well-Being Index (post-test:;18.06±4.59, 19.00±4.47; pre-test:;12.71±5.85, 15.09±5.62; p<0.05) showed recovery according to the pre-tests. However, the post-test restless legs syndrome Severity Rating Scale of the experimental group was lower than that of the placebo group (p<0.05). The effect of their application started in 3.93±1.74 days on average in the experimental group, while it started in 5.09±1.55 days in the placebo group (p<0.05). CONCLUSION: Both applications reduced the severity of restless legs syndrome in pregnant women and increased sleep quality and well-being. However, compression stockings were more effective in reducing restless legs syndrome severity. Nurses can use compression and placebo stockings in the care of pregnant women with restless legs syndrome. Clinical Trial Registration Number: NCT05795868.

Influence of compression therapy following varicose vein surgery: a prospective randomized study.

Background: The use of compression dressings after phlebectomy is based solely on clinical experience due to the lack of a unified set of definitive recommendations, which makes clinical practice extremely heterogeneous. Objectives: To evaluate compression therapy with elastic stockings for 7 days after phlebectomy. Methods: We randomly allocated 104 lower limbs with disease classified as C1 and C2 to 1 of 2 groups: an intervention group (64 limbs) - wearing elastic compression stockings for the first 7 days after phlebectomy; or a control group (40 limbs) - given conventional bandaging for 24 hours postoperatively. We compared clinical response by analyzing the evolution of symptoms, hematoma formation, and preoperative vs. postoperative limb volume. Results: Pain (median 1.0 vs. 1.5, p=0.0320) and limb volume (mean 43.7 vs. 99.8, p=0.0071) were significantly improved in patients wearing elastic compression stockings for 7 days after phlebectomy compared with controls. Conclusions: Use of elastic compression therapy for 7 days after phlebectomy was effective for improving pain and lower limb volume.

Contexto: O uso de curativos após flebectomia é baseado apenas na experiência clínica, visto que não existe um conjunto unificado de recomendações definitivas, o que torna a prática clínica extremamente variável. Objetivos: Avaliar o uso de terapia elástica compressiva por 7 dias após flebectomia. Métodos: Cento e quatro membros inferiores, classificados como CEAP C1 e C2, foram randomizados em dois grupos: grupo de intervenção (64 membros) ­ uso de meia elástica por 24 horas após a cirurgia ­ e grupo controle (40 membros) ­ uso de curativo convencional por 7 dias após a cirurgia. A resposta clínica foi comparada por meio de análise da evolução dos sintomas, de hematoma e do volume dos membros antes e depois da cirurgia. Resultados: Os pacientes submetidos a terapia compressiva elástica apresentaram melhora significativa na dor (mediana 1,0 vs. 1,5; p=0,0320) e no volume dos membros (média 43,7 vs. 99,8; p=0,0071) em comparação ao grupo controle. Conclusões: O emprego da terapia compressiva elástica por 7 dias após flebectomia mostrou-se efetivo na melhora da dor e do volume dos membros inferiores.

Influence of compression therapy following varicose vein surgery: a prospective randomized study / Influência da terapia compressiva no pós-operatório de flebectomia: um estudo prospectivo e randomizado

Abstract Background The use of compression dressings after phlebectomy is based solely on clinical experience due to the lack of a unified set of definitive recommendations, which makes clinical practice extremely heterogeneous. Objectives To evaluate compression therapy with elastic stockings for 7 days after phlebectomy. Methods We randomly allocated 104 lower limbs with disease classified as C1 and C2 to 1 of 2 groups: an intervention group (64 limbs) - wearing elastic compression stockings for the first 7 days after phlebectomy; or a control group (40 limbs) - given conventional bandaging for 24 hours postoperatively. We compared clinical response by analyzing the evolution of symptoms, hematoma formation, and preoperative vs. postoperative limb volume. Results Pain (median 1.0 vs. 1.5, p=0.0320) and limb volume (mean 43.7 vs. 99.8, p=0.0071) were significantly improved in patients wearing elastic compression stockings for 7 days after phlebectomy compared with controls. Conclusions Use of elastic compression therapy for 7 days after phlebectomy was effective for improving pain and lower limb volume.

Resumo Contexto O uso de curativos após flebectomia é baseado apenas na experiência clínica, visto que não existe um conjunto unificado de recomendações definitivas, o que torna a prática clínica extremamente variável. Objetivos Avaliar o uso de terapia elástica compressiva por 7 dias após flebectomia. Métodos Cento e quatro membros inferiores, classificados como CEAP C1 e C2, foram randomizados em dois grupos: grupo de intervenção (64 membros) - uso de meia elástica por 24 horas após a cirurgia - e grupo controle (40 membros) - uso de curativo convencional por 7 dias após a cirurgia. A resposta clínica foi comparada por meio de análise da evolução dos sintomas, de hematoma e do volume dos membros antes e depois da cirurgia. Resultados Os pacientes submetidos a terapia compressiva elástica apresentaram melhora significativa na dor (mediana 1,0 vs. 1,5; p=0,0320) e no volume dos membros (média 43,7 vs. 99,8; p=0,0071) em comparação ao grupo controle. Conclusões O emprego da terapia compressiva elástica por 7 dias após flebectomia mostrou-se efetivo na melhora da dor e do volume dos membros inferiores.

Chronic venous insufficiency and graduated compression stockings: analysis of public health system patients' adherence to treatment.

BACKGROUND: Chronic venous insufficiency (CVI) is a pathology of great importance due to its high worldwide prevalence, affecting up to 80% of the population. Its incidence increases with age and is more frequent in females. One of the most important treatment options is compression therapy and the main method employed is wearing graduated compression stockings, which is considered the basic treatment for CVI regardless of the patient's clinical classification. In clinical practice, treatment outcomes are impaired by patients not wearing the stockings properly. OBJECTIVES: To analyze the rate of adherence to wearing graduated compression stockings and to understand the problem of treatment non-adherence. METHODS: Cross-sectional observational study conducted from June 2017 to January 2019, based on administration of questionnaires to patients at a SUS vascular surgery clinic at a teaching hospital, in Curitiba, PR, Brazil. Data were analyzed using the IBM SPSS Statistics v.20.0 computer program. RESULTS: 240 patients were analyzed. Mean age was 57.5 ± 12.9 (22 - 86) and 84.2% of the sample were female. 106 of the 240 patients analyzed (44.2%) were non-adherent with wearing compression stockings. Reasons for not wearing the stockings were: financial; pain; ignorance of the need to wear them; heat; and others. CONCLUSIONS: The adherence rate observed in the present study was 55.8% and the most prevalent reason for not wearing stockings was financial.

Influence of the use of compression stockings on physiological, perceptual, and affective responses during running in recreational runners / Influência do uso de meias de compressão nas respostas fisiológicas, perceptuais e afetivas durante a corridas em corridores recreacionais

Este estudo objetivou comparar a influência do uso de polainas de compressão nas respostas fisiológicas, perceptuais e afetivas durante a corrida em corredores recreacionais. Dez corredores recreacionais (31,5 ± 9,7 anos) participaram deste estudo. Todos os sujeitos completaram três visitas ao laboratório: (a) familiarização e teste incremental até a exaustão (b) duas sessões de exercícios realizadas em dias diferentes. Cada sessão envolveu o mesmo protocolo de exercícios (20 minutos continuamente a uma intensidade de 80% da velocidade máxima da esteira a lcançada no teste incremental até a exaustão), com ou sem o uso de meias de compressão. A Felt Arousal Scale (FAS), Feeling Scale (FS), percepção subjetiva de esforço (PSE), o consumo de oxigênio (VO2) e a frequência cardíaca (FC) foram registradas durante cada sessão experimental. Os resultados não mostraram diferenças entre as condições fisiológicas (% VO2máx: 88,1 ± 8,3 vs 87,1 ± 11,32; % HR: 91,8 ± 2,8 vs 90,8 ± 3,2), e as respostas perceptuais (PSE: 6,4 ± 1,2 vs 6,2 ± 1,4) e afetivas (FS: 0,35 ± 2,4 vs 0,37 ± 2,3; FAS: 4,3 ± 0,7 vs 4,3 ± 1,1) durante cada sessão de exercício. Os resultados do presente estudo indicam que o uso de polainas de compressão não promove benefícios fisiológicos, perceptuais e afetivas durante a corrida em corredores recreacionais.(AU)

This study aimed to compare the influence of wearing compression stockings on physiological, perceptual, and affective respon ses during running in recreational runners. Ten recreational runners (31.5 ± 9.7 years) participated in this study. All subjects completed three visits to the lab: (a) familiarization and incremental test until exhaustion (b) two exercise sessions conducted on different days. Each session involved the same exercise protocol (20 min continuously at an intensity of 80% of the maximum treadmill speed achieved in the incremental test until exhaustion), with or without the use of compression stockings. The Felt Arousal Scale (FAS), Feeling Scale (FS), Rating of Perceived Exertion (RPE), oxygen consumption (VO2), and heart rate (HR) were recorded during each experimental session. Results showed no differ ences between the conditions of physiological (% VO2máx: 88.1 ± 8.3 vs 87.1 ± 11.32; % HR: 91.8 ± 2.8 vs 90.8 ± 3.2), perceptual (RPE: 6.4 ± 1.2 vs 6.2 ± 1.4) and affective (FS: 0.35 ± 2.4 vs 0.37 ± 2.3; FAS: 4.3 ± 0.7 vs 4.3 ± 1.1) responses during each exercise sessio n. The results of the present study suggest that wearing of compression stockings does not promote physiological, perceptual, and affective benefits during running of recreational runners.(AU)

Insuficiência venosa crônica e uso de meia elástica de compressão graduada: uma análise sobre a adesão ao tratamento em pacientes do SUS / Chronic venous insufficiency and graduated compression stockings: analysis of public health system patients' adherence to treatment

Resumo Contexto A insuficiência venosa crônica é uma doença de alta prevalência mundial, podendo chegar a até 80% da população. Sua incidência aumenta com a idade e é mais frequente no sexo feminino. Das opções terapêuticas, destaca-se a terapia compressiva, sendo a principal o uso de meia elástica de compressão graduada, considerado o tratamento básico para a insuficiência venosa crônica independentemente da classificação clínica do paciente. Na prática clínica, o resultado da terapia é prejudicado pela não adesão ao uso da meia. Objetivos Avaliar a taxa de adesão ao uso da meia elástica de compressão graduada, assim como compreender a problemática da não aderência ao tratamento. Métodos Estudo observacional transversal, realizado entre junho de 2017 até janeiro de 2019, mediante aplicação de questionário aos pacientes em ambulatório de cirurgia vascular do Sistema Único de Saúde (SUS), em um hospital-escola, em Curitiba, no estado do Paraná (PR). Os dados foram analisados com o programa computacional IBM SPSS Statistics v.20.0. Resultados Foram analisados 240 pacientes. A média de idade foi de 57,5±12,9 (22-86); 84,2% eram do sexo feminino. Do total de pacientes analisados, 106 (44,2%) não aderiram ao uso das meias. As justificativas para o não uso foram: questão financeira, dor, desconhecimento da necessidade, calor e outras. Conclusões A taxa de adesão encontrada no presente estudo foi de 55,8%, e o principal motivo para o não uso foi a questão financeira.

Abstract Background Chronic venous insufficiency (CVI) is a pathology of great importance due to its high worldwide prevalence, affecting up to 80% of the population. Its incidence increases with age and is more frequent in females. One of the most important treatment options is compression therapy and the main method employed is wearing graduated compression stockings, which is considered the basic treatment for CVI regardless of the patient's clinical classification. In clinical practice, treatment outcomes are impaired by patients not wearing the stockings properly. Objectives To analyze the rate of adherence to wearing graduated compression stockings and to understand the problem of treatment non-adherence. Methods Cross-sectional observational study conducted from June 2017 to January 2019, based on administration of questionnaires to patients at a SUS vascular surgery clinic at a teaching hospital, in Curitiba, PR, Brazil. Data were analyzed using the IBM SPSS Statistics v.20.0 computer program. Results 240 patients were analyzed. Mean age was 57.5 ± 12.9 (22 - 86) and 84.2% of the sample were female. 106 of the 240 patients analyzed (44.2%) were non-adherent with wearing compression stockings. Reasons for not wearing the stockings were: financial; pain; ignorance of the need to wear them; heat; and others. Conclusions The adherence rate observed in the present study was 55.8% and the most prevalent reason for not wearing stockings was financial.

Evaluation of the effectiveness of wearing compression stockings for prevention of occupational edema in hairdressers.

BACKGROUND: Occupational lower limb edema is an important factor in deterioration of quality of life. Prevention involves prescription of prophylactic measures, such as wearing compression stockings. OBJECTIVES: To evaluate the effectiveness of compression stocking for prevention of occupational edema and its repercussions for the quality of life of hairdressers. METHODS: A clinical trial involving measurements of the ankles (point B) and calves (Point C) of 38 hairdressers without venous disease at the beginning and end of workdays spent wearing or not wearing compression stockings. Participants also answered a questionnaire about symptoms and quality of life in venous disease. RESULTS: Point B measurements were: 21.1 ± 2.2 cm in the morning without stockings; 22.1 ± 2.3 cm at the end of the day without stockings (p = 0.0001 compared to baseline without stockings); and 21.2 ± 2.1 cm at the end of the day wearing compression stockings (p = 0.0001 compared to the end of day not wearing compression stockings). The comparison between point B values for the start of the day without compression stockings and the end of the day with stockings (p = 0.324) was not significant, showing that there was no lower limb edema at the end of the working day when compression stockings were worn. Improvements were observed in ratings for limitations of work activities (p = 0.0001), domestic activities (p = 0.008) and leisure or social activities performed standing up(p = 0.0001). CONCLUSIONS: Compression stockings are effective for preventing occupational lower limb edema and the attenuation of symptoms such as pain and fatigue directly contributes to better quality of life for hairdressers.

Elastic compression after ultrasound-guided foam sclerotherapy in overweight patients does not improve primary venous hemodynamics outcomes.

OBJECTIVE: Lower extremity varicose veins have a high prevalence and can be associated with significant morbidity in their more advanced presentations; overweight patients tend to present with more severe clinical symptoms and conventional surgical treatment remains challenging. Although the advent of ultrasound-guided foam sclerotherapy (UGFS) increased the treatment options for these patients, the need for elastic compression after UGFS remains controversial. METHODS: Overweight patients with lower extremity varicose veins secondary to great saphenous vein reflux were treated with UGFS and then randomized to use or no use of a 3-week treatment of elastic compression stockings. Follow-up was performed by clinical evaluation and duplex ultrasound examination. The primary outcome measure was the absence of venous reflux in the great saphenous vein. RESULTS: One hundred thirty-five lower limbs were treated; 72 limbs were randomized to elastic compression and 63 limbs to the control group. There were no statistically significant differences in the number of procedures (P = .64) or the mean foam volume per procedure (P = .27) between groups. There was no difference in the reflux rate at either 3 weeks (26% vs 35%; P = .16) or 3 months (25% vs 21%; P = .85). Major complications were venous deep thrombosis (n = 2), neurologic event (n = 1), and ischemic ulceration (n = 1); the overall rate was 3% in both groups-2 of 62 in control patients and 2 of 69 in compression patients (P = .45). Venous diameter reduction was noted in both groups during treatment (P < .05) but with greater decrease in greater saphenous vein diameter in patients treated with compression. CONCLUSIONS: Elastic compression stockings for 3 consecutive weeks after UGFS in overweight patients did not decrease great saphenous vein reflux, need for repeat procedures, or the volume of foam injected. However, UGFS was associated with a greater and uniform reduction in saphenous vein diameter at all times after the procedure.

Avaliação da efetividade do uso de meias de compressão na prevenção do edema ocupacional em cabeleireiras / Evaluation of the effectiveness of wearing compression stockings for prevention of occupational edema in hairdressers

Resumo Contexto O edema ocupacional (EO) de membros inferiores (MMII) é um importante fator de queda na qualidade de vida, e a sua prevenção impõe a prescrição de medidas profiláticas, como o uso de meias de compressão (MCs). Objetivos Avaliar a efetividade das MCs na prevenção do EO e a sua repercussão na qualidade de vida de cabeleireiras. Métodos Este ensaio clínico realizou medidas de tornozelo e panturrilha de 38 cabeleireiras sem doença venosa no início e no final da jornada de trabalho em um momento sem e em outro usando MCs. Também responderam um questionário sobre sintomas e qualidade de vida em doença venosa. Resultados Os valores do ponto B foram de 21,1±2,2 cm no momento inicial sem meias, 22,1±2,3 cm no momento final sem meias (p = 0,0001 em relação ao inicial sem meias), e 21,2±2,1 cm no momento final com meias (p = 0,0001 em relação ao final sem meias). Não foi significante a diferença entre os valores médios do ponto B inicial sem meias e final com meias (p=0,324), ou seja, não houve formação de edema nos MMII ao final da jornada de trabalho em ortostatismo prolongado quando em uso de MCs. Pôde-se observar melhora da limitação sobre as atividades laborais (p = 0,0001), domésticas (p = 0,008) e de lazer ou sociais em pé (p = 0,0001). Conclusões As MCs são efetivas na prevenção do EO de MMII, e a atenuação de sintomas como dor e fadiga contribui diretamente para melhor qualidade de vida de cabeleireiras.

Abstract Background Occupational lower limb edema is an important factor in deterioration of quality of life. Prevention involves prescription of prophylactic measures, such as wearing compression stockings. Objectives To evaluate the effectiveness of compression stocking for prevention of occupational edema and its repercussions for the quality of life of hairdressers. Methods A clinical trial involving measurements of the ankles (point B) and calves (Point C) of 38 hairdressers without venous disease at the beginning and end of workdays spent wearing or not wearing compression stockings. Participants also answered a questionnaire about symptoms and quality of life in venous disease. Results Point B measurements were: 21.1 ± 2.2 cm in the morning without stockings; 22.1 ± 2.3 cm at the end of the day without stockings (p = 0.0001 compared to baseline without stockings); and 21.2 ± 2.1 cm at the end of the day wearing compression stockings (p = 0.0001 compared to the end of day not wearing compression stockings). The comparison between point B values for the start of the day without compression stockings and the end of the day with stockings (p = 0.324) was not significant, showing that there was no lower limb edema at the end of the working day when compression stockings were worn. Improvements were observed in ratings for limitations of work activities (p = 0.0001), domestic activities (p = 0.008) and leisure or social activities performed standing up(p = 0.0001). Conclusions Compression stockings are effective for preventing occupational lower limb edema and the attenuation of symptoms such as pain and fatigue directly contributes to better quality of life for hairdressers.

Compliance with compression therapy in primary chronic venous disease: Results from a tropical country.

OBJECTIVES: To describe compliance rates of compression therapy in a cohort of patients with chronic venous disease and also to describe frequent causes of non-compliance. METHODS: A total of 889 patients with primary chronic venous disease were prescribed compression therapy after being evaluated by vascular surgeons. Subjects had a first visit during which time compression therapy was prescribed in addition to a follow-up visit. Strength of compression, type, prescription duration, and reasons of non-compliance were queried at follow-up. RESULTS: Only 31.8% of the patients reported wearing compression therapy as prescribed, 31.4% reported wearing compression most days, 28.3% reported wearing compression intermittently, and 8.5% of the patients reported not wearing compression at all. The main reasons of non-compliance were: uncomfortable (49.4%), too difficult to put on (34.5%), skin problems (itching) (21.5%), and unattractive (19.8%). CONCLUSIONS: Compliance with compression therapy in chronic venous disease is still a subject of concern as most patients are not using compression therapy as prescribed.

Impact of Compression Stockings vs. Continuous Positive Airway Pressure on Overnight Fluid Shift and Obstructive Sleep Apnea among Patients on Hemodialysis.

INTRODUCTION: Obstructive sleep apnea (OSA) is common in edematous states, notably in hemodialysis patients. In this population, overnight fluid shift can play an important role on the pathogenesis of OSA. The effect of compression stockings (CS) and continuous positive airway pressure (CPAP) on fluid shift is barely known. We compared the effects of CS and CPAP on fluid dynamics in a sample of patients with OSA in hemodialysis, through a randomized crossover study. METHODS: Each participant performed polysomnography (PSG) at baseline, during CPAP titration, and after 1 week of wearing CS. Neck circumference (NC) and segmental bioelectrical impedance were done before and after PSG. RESULTS: Fourteen patients were studied (53 ± 9 years; 57% men; body mass index 29.7 ± 6.8 kg/m2). Apnea-hypopnea index (AHI) decreased from 20.8 (14.2; 39.6) at baseline to 7.9 (2.8; 25.4) during CPAP titration and to 16.7 (3.5; 28.9) events/h after wearing CS (CPAP vs. baseline, p = 0.004; CS vs. baseline, p = 0.017; and CPAP vs. CS, p = 0.017). Nocturnal intracellular trunk water was higher after wearing CS in comparison to baseline and CPAP (p = 0.03). CS reduced the fluid accumulated in lower limbs during the day, although not significantly. Overnight fluid shift at baseline, CPAP, and CS was -183 ± 72, -343 ± 220, and -290 ± 213 ml, respectively (p = 0.006). Overnight NC increased at baseline (0.7 ± 0.4 cm), decreased after CPAP (-1.0 ± 0.4 cm), and while wearing CS (-0.4 ± 0.8 cm) (CPAP vs. baseline, p < 0.0001; CS vs. baseline, p = 0.001; CPAP vs. CS, p = 0.01). CONCLUSION: CS reduced AHI by avoiding fluid retention in the legs, favoring accumulation of water in the intracellular component of the trunk, thus avoiding fluid shift to reach the neck. CPAP improved OSA by exerting local pressure on upper airway, with no impact on fluid redistribution. CPAP performed significantly better than CS for both reduction of AHI and overnight reduction of NC. Complementary studies are needed to elucidate the mechanisms by which CPAP and CS reduce NC.

Quality of life in chronic venous patients who do or do not wear compressive stockings / Qualidade de vida em doentes venosos crônicos usuários e não usuários de meias elásticas

Wearing elastic compression stockings is of considerable significance for patients with chronic venous disease (CVD), since their physiological effect is to improve venous hemodynamic parameters, making them a good treatment option that can impact on patients' quality of life. OBJECTIVE: To assess quality of life in patients with chronic venous disease who do or do not wear elastic stockings. METHODS: This was a cross-sectional observational study assessing a sample of 50 CVD patients of both sexes, divided into two groups, one who wear elastic stockings and another who do not. Primary variables were the domains of the SF-36 (Medical Outcomes Study Short-form 36) and AVVQ (Aberdeen Varicose Veins Questionnaire) and secondary variables were: age; sex; physical activity; educational level; profession; wearing elastic stockings (frequency, pressure and type); elevation of lower limbs; itching and CEAP classification. The SF-36 and AVVQ quality of life questionnaires were administered to patients. Statistical significance was set at p<0.05. RESULTS: Wearing elastic stockings proved beneficial for the quality of life of people with chronic venous disease. For the AVVQ disease-specific questionnaire the greatest improvements were in overall score (p=0.0028) and the extent of varicosity domain (p=0.000). The SF-36 domains role emotional (p=0.017) and functional capacity (p=0.000) both improved. CONCLUSIONS: Wearing elastic stockings is an effective treatment for CVD that improves disease-specific quality of life and also leads to improvements in general quality of life...

O uso de Meias Elásticas Compressivas em pacientes com doença venosa crônica (DVC) é de grande significância, na medida em que reflete, na sua atuação fisiológica, melhora nos padrões hemodinâmicos venosos, configurando-se como boa opção terapêutica e podendo interferir na qualidade de vida do indivíduo. OBJETIVO: Avaliar a qualidade de vida de indivíduos com doença venosa crônica usuários e não usuários de meias elásticas. MÉTODOS: Trata-se de um estudo observacional de corte transversal, no qual foram avaliados 50 pacientes de ambos os sexos, com DVC, compondo dois grupos: um de usuários e o outro, de não usuários de meias elásticas. Teve, como variáveis primárias, os domínios dos questionários SF-36 (Medical Outcomes Study Short-form 36) e AVVQ (Aberdeen Varicose Veins Questionnaire); constituíram as variáveis secundárias: idade; sexo; atividade física; escolaridade; profissão; uso de meias elásticas (frequência de uso, pressão e tipo); elevação de membros inferiores; presença de prurido, e CEAP. Os pacientes responderam aos questionários de qualidade de vida SF-36 e AVVQ. A significância estatística considerada foi p<0,05. RESULTADOS: A utilização da meia elástica mostrou benefício na qualidade de vida dos indivíduos portadores de doença venosa crônica. O aspecto mais favorecido no questionário específico AVVQ relacionou-se à sua pontuação total (p=0,0028) e ao domínio Extensão da varicosidade (p=0,000). Já quanto ao SF-36, podem-se apontar o aspecto emocional (p=0,017) e a capacidade funcional (p=0,000). CONCLUSÃO: O uso de meias elásticas apresenta-se como uma terapêutica eficaz na DVC, melhorando a qualidade de vida específica e havendo, também, ganho na qualidade de vida geral...

The use of enoxaparin to prevent venous thromboembolism in patients undergoing radical retropubic prostatectomy: feasibility and utility

OBJECTIVE: To assess the utility of enoxaparin in prevention of venous thromboembolism (VTE) in men poorly compliant with pneumatic compression stockings (PCS) in the immediate postoperative period after a radical retropubic prostatectomy (RP). MATERIALS AND METHODS: This retrospective study included 47 men who underwent RP at an inner-city tertiary care hospital. All patients were started on enoxaparin 40 mg subcutaneously 6-8 hours postoperatively and daily while hospitalized. Preoperative, operative, and postoperative data were collected and analyzed. Median follow-up was 18 months. RESULTS: Median patient age was 64 ± 7 years, median prostate-specific antigen level was 4.9 ng/mL and median prostate biopsy-determined Gleason score was 6. Forty-one men (87 percent) underwent a pelvic lymph node dissection. Median operative time was 181 minutes (range 164-450 minutes). Median estimated blood loss was 700 mL. Approximately 36 percent of the men wore PCS the recommended > 19 hours/day. On average PCS were worn 10.3 ± 7.5 hours/day. Postoperative complications were not increased in this cohort. Two patients developed pulmonary embolism requiring long-term anticoagulation. There were no mortalities. CONCLUSIONS: In men non-compliant with PCS, initiation of enoxaparin in the immediate postoperative setting was well-tolerated and maintained a low (4 percent) rate of VTE. Thus, enoxaparin may be useful in adjunct with PCS in these patients.