Brief report: graduated compression stocking thromboprophylaxis for elderly inpatients: a propensity analysis

Area of Science:

• Vascular Medicine
• Geriatric Medicine
• Preventive Medicine

Background:

• Graduated compression stockings (GCS) are commonly prescribed for deep vein thrombosis (DVT) prophylaxis in nonsurgical patients.
• However, robust evidence supporting their effectiveness in this specific patient group is limited.

Purpose of the Study:

• To investigate the association between GCS prophylaxis and the incidence of DVT in elderly nonsurgical patients.
• To evaluate the effectiveness of GCS in reducing DVT rates in a post-acute care setting.

Main Methods:

• Analysis of original data from two multicenter, nonrandomized studies involving 1,310 patients aged 65 years and older.
• Multivariable and propensity score analyses were employed to assess DVT rates in GCS users versus nonusers.
• Proximal DVT was the primary outcome, diagnosed via compression ultrasonography.

Main Results:

• The incidence of proximal DVT was 5.7% in GCS users and 5.2% in nonusers (OR, 1.09; 95% CI, 0.64-1.84).
• Propensity score adjustments did not alter the nonsignificant association between GCS and reduced DVT risk.
• No significant differences in DVT rates were observed based on stocking length.

Conclusions:

• GCS prophylaxis is not associated with a reduced rate of deep vein thrombosis in routine practice for nonsurgical elderly patients.
• Further randomized controlled trials are essential to definitively assess the efficacy of GCS in this population.
• Current evidence suggests GCS may not be an effective prophylactic measure for DVT in this demographic.