Medical compression stockings reduce the symptoms of obesity-associated functional venous insufficiency

Background and ObjectivesMany overweight individuals develop obesity-associated functional venous insufficiency (OA-FVI), also known as obesity-associated dependency syndrome. This study investigates the impact of medical compression stockings (MCS) on the symptoms.Patients and MethodsA total of 49 patients, 37 female and 12 male, with a body-mass-index (BMI) of 30-40 kg/m² and a clinical presentation of OA-FVI corresponding to chronic venous insufficiency (CVI) stages C3-C5 were included. During the intervention phase, patients wore knee-length MCS compression class 2 (CCL2). In the first week, flat-knit MCS was worn on the left leg, round-knit MCS on the right leg. In the following 3 weeks, patients wore the MCS of their choice on both legs.ResultsThe average patient age was 54.0 years, and the mean BMI was 35.6 kg/m². The average daily wearing time of the MCS was 9.6 hours. Among 40 patients with analyzable data, the VVSymQ score was reduced to 57% of the baseline value (p < .00001), particularly for the key symptoms of swelling, heaviness and achiness as well as throbbing. Edema was initially present in 22 patients. During the MCS intervention, the edema healed in 73% of the affected patients. The fit and comfort of the MCS was assessed as good or very good by 98% of the patients, donning and doffing was assessed as good or very good by 89% and 78% of the patients.ConclusionsThe symptoms of OA-FVI can be effectively reduced using MCS. The obese patients showed good compliance.Trial registry nameDeutsches Register Klinischer Studien; URL: https://drks.de/search/de/trial/DRKS00015468; registration number: DRKS00015468.