Stockings and the prevention of recurrent venous ulcers.

BACKGROUND

Cost-effective therapy that heals ulcers rapidly and prevents recurrence would significantly impact patient care and the health system.

OBJECTIVE

To evaluate compression stockings for treatment of venous ulcerations and prevention of recurrent ulceration; to analyze patient compliance; and to evaluate cost of compression stocking therapy.

METHODS

Stocking therapy healed venous ulcers in 53 patients. The effect of continued stocking use on ulcer recurrence rate and treatment costs was evaluated.

RESULTS

Twenty-five patients had good stocking usage; one developed recurrence (4%). Twenty-eight patients had bad or none usage; 22 had at least one recurrence (79%). Bad/none usage was associated with 31 of 32 (97%) recurrent ulcerations; good usage was associated with 52 of 58 (90%) nonrecurrent ulcers. Cost was a major reason for noncompliance.

CONCLUSIONS

Continued stocking use after ulcer healing will prevent most recurrences and will provide a significant cost saving to the nation's health care budget.