ORIGINAL ARTICLES   

Acta Phlebologica 2011 August;12(2):91-7

Copyright © 2011 EDIZIONI MINERVA MEDICA

language: English

Preliminary comparative randomized blind study on effects of Nexus-es® elastic medical stockings in patients affected by chronic venous insufficiency of lower limbs

Graci C.

Centro Sudi Flebologico Terme di Casciana, Casciana Terme, Pisa, Italy

Aim. Chronic venous insufficiency represents a major health issue because of the high prevalence and the high direct and indirect costs. Compressive stockings are the mainstay of conservative approach, but in the daily clinical experience compliance is not optimal because of the lack of comfort. The objective of the study was to verify if a lower degree of compression obtained with stockings prepared with a special registered fiber Nexus-es®, enriched with extremely light, noble metals can reach the same results of stockings with a higher degree of compression.
Methods. Forty patients attending at the same specialistic center, with chronic venous insufficiency I, II have been randomized in two groups: the first group (20) used the 15 mmHg stockings Nexus-es® and the control group (20) used normal 25 mmHg stockings, indistinguishable for the patients.
Results. As expected, clinical signs (edema, superficial vein dilatation) and symptoms (heaviness), like parameters measured at light reflection rheography improved after six months of therapy in both groups. The improvement was similar in both groups; in the study group the same, positive result is achieved with a lower compression (15 mmHg instead of 25 mmHg). No adverse events have been reported in the course of the study.
Conclusion. The preliminary data shows a similar result in the study group achieved with a lower compression compared to the control group, probably through an improvement of tissue exchanges and oxygenation. In the daily clinical practice a lower compression drives to a better compliance and a better adherence.