Attitudes to prescribing compression stockings for patients with acute DVT: the MASTER registry

Compression therapy is still not widely used for patients with deep vein thrombosis (DVT). This report provides information on Italian doctors' use of elastic stockings (ES) after acute DVT and identifies some predictors of prescription.

The MASTER multicenter registry collected information about clinical characteristics and management of patients with venous thromboembolism (VTE). In patients with objectively confirmed acute VTE, information about clinical presentation, diagnostic methods, temporary and permanent risk factors, pre-event prophylaxis and treatment, including ES prescription, were captured by an electronic data network at the time of the index event.

Of 2119 patients enrolled, 1913 had DVT, 1772 in the legs; 1277 were prescribed ES at hospital discharge. The following conditions were associated with more frequent prescription: edema, in-hospital management, known thrombophilia; younger age. In multivariate analysis these factors all remained significantly associated with more frequent use of ES.

Italian clinicians' attitudes to prescribing ES still appear suboptimal. Special attention is needed for patients treated at home, where organizational problems can interfere with the use of ES.