Summary
Background The mediven observational study demonstrated that outpatient prescription of medical
compression stockings (MCS) is not sufficiently guided by the medical needs of venous
patients. In this follow-up analysis, we therefore evaluated the frequency of prescriptions
of MCS and donning aids. Moreover, we asked whether MCS are differentially prescribed
according to the patients’ CEAP classification and BMI.
Results Approximately one third of patients did not receive a prescription for a second pair
of MCS at the beginning of the study and approximately one third of patients were
not given a six-monthly repeat prescription. Moreover, donning aids were only rarely
prescribed. These factors had an impact on compliance, since high MCS wearing frequencies
were associated with both frequent MCS re-prescriptions and, at least for patients
aged 61 years or above, prescription of donning aids. Prescribed MCS were mostly of
light MCS quality, irrespective of the patient’s CEAP and BMI. Importantly, improvements
of the CEAP classification of patients in CEAP category C3 occurred more frequently
with medium and firm MCS qualities (BMI >25: 30.9 %; <25: 41.7 %) than with light
MCS qualities (BMI >25: 22.4 %; <25: 13.3 %). In obese patients, constriction furrows
occurred less frequently when medium or firm MCS qualities were used.
Conclusion With regard to the number and type of MCS prescriptions, there is still significant
need for improvement. If required by the patients’ medical needs, medium and firm
MCS qualities should be considered to a much greater extent.
Keywords
Medical compression stockings - MCS quality - reality of care - CEAP - BMI
