The effect of compression therapy on quality of life in patients with chronic venous disease: a comparative 6-month study

Abstract

Introduction: Chronic venous diseases (CVD), because of its chronic and progressive nature, impairs patients' quality of life (Qol). Aim: To compare the QoL in patients with primary superficial venous insufficiency at different stages before and after compression therapy (CT). Material and methods: We compared the change in the QoL parameters from baseline to the end of a 6-month compression therapy. 180 subjects were enrolled. They were subdivided into 6 equal subgroups according to CEAP classes. The QoL was assessed using questionnaires, the general SF-36v2 and the disease-specific CIVIQ-20. At the beginning and after the completion of the study intervention, the severity of CVD was assessed in each patient using CEAP and VCSS. The pain intensity was assessed using the numerical rating scale. Results: The CT reduced the severity of CVD, which translated into the increased size of C2 an d C5 subgroups, and reduced size of C3 and C6 subgroups. Another marker of reduced severity of CVD after CT was a significant reduction in VCSS scores in C1, and C3-C6 subgroups. A 6-month CT was associated with a significant QoL improvement in all CEAP class-based subgroups, across all individual and composite domains of SF-36v2, as well as dimensions and GIS of CIVIQ-20. Similarly, there was a significant pain reduction reported in all CEAP class-based subgroups. Conclusion: Compression therapy using ready-made compression hosiery significantly affects the quality of life in patients with chronic venous disease at all its stages, CEAP classes C1-C6.

Behandlungsansätze mit Kompressionstherapie beim Lipödem

“…The reduction in pain due to compression therapy, in patients with lipedema calculated in this meta-analysis is thus consistent with the results of Mendoza & Amsler (2019) in patients with lipedema, lymphedema, and phlebedema, although it should be noted that in the Mendoza & Amsler (2019) study only 63.4 % of patients had lipedema and 9.8 % lipedema in combination with lymphedema or phlebedema [4]. Compression therapy was also able to achieve a significant reduction in pain in patients with venous insufficiency [12].…”

“…Die in dieser Metaanalyse berechnete Reduktion der Schmerzen durch die Behandlung mit Kompressionstherapie bei Patientinnen mit Lipödem entspricht somit den Ergebnissen von Mendoza und Amsler (2019) bei Patient*innen mit Lipödem, Lymphöden und Phlebödem, wobei anzumerken ist, dass bei Mendoza und Amsler (2019) nur 63,4 % ein Lipödem sowie 9,8 % ein Lipödem in Kombination mit einem Lymphöden oder einem Phlebödem aufwiesen [4]. Auch bei Patient*innen mit venöser Insuffizienz konnte durch die Kompressionstherapie eine signifikante Reduktion der Schmerzen erreicht werden [12].…”

A systematic review of the impact of compression therapy on quality of life and pain among people with a venous leg ulcer

“…26,27 Three studies compared compression and exercise, to compression alone. 28,31,32 Finally, Berszakiewicz, Kasperczyk 23 conducted a pre-post test study, before and after the use of a ready-made 2-in-1 compression system.…”

Smart Compression Therapy Devices for Treatment of Venous Leg Ulcers: A Review

“…[1] A common treatment for VLU is compression therapy, which uses external compression of the leg to improve circulation by promoting blood return to the heart, [10,11] and has been shown to significantly improve the quality of life in patients with chronic venous disease at all its stages. [12] Application of the correct pressure is crucial for effective compression therapy, [13] since low pressure delays treatment and high pressure can cause extremely low circulation, leading to pain or damage to the limb. [14] The pressure levels necessary to treat VLU are typically up to 60 mmHg, and vary according to patient conditions such as arterial insufficiency, neuropathy, or cardiac failure.…”