The Effect of Inelastic Compression Wraps on the Quality of Life of People with Chronic Venous Insufficiency: A...

Background/Objectives: First line therapy for all manifestations of chronic venous insufficiency (CVI) is compression. However, patients frequently report dissatisfaction with compression stockings. Therefore, there is a need to find alternative therapeutic options that can promote compliance. Here, we investigate the impact of the novel, inelastic compression wrap device on quality of life (QoL) in patients with CVI who have failed therapy with compression stockings in the past. Methods: We conducted a six-week, open-label, single-center, non-blinded, prospective cohort study. The primary endpoint was the change in QoL over 6 weeks as measured by the Chronic Venous Disease Quality of Life Questionnaire (CIVIQ-20). Results: Thirty patients completed the study. Twenty-five (83.3%) reported wearing the compression device most of the time. At the six-week follow-up, CIVIQ-20 scores improved on average 12.123 ± 21.06 points on a 100-point scale (p = 0.0019). Calf circumference decreased on average 1.3 cm ± 2.21 cm (p = 0.0009). Measured on a ten-point scale, average itch decreased 1.9 ± 2.63 points (p = 0.0008) and reported levels of the worst itch decreased on average 2.73 ± 3.63 points (p = 0.0001). The Venous Clinical Severity Scoring scores decreased on average by 1.276 ± 2.297 points (p = 0.0029). Conclusions: Compression stockings remain the mainstay of treatment for advanced cutaneous manifestations of CVI. However, we demonstrated that the novel inelastic compression device offers an alternative and may improve QoL, compliance, and clinical venous symptoms in a safe manner in people who could not tolerate compression stockings.