Comparison of 15-20 mmHg versus 20-30 mmHg Compression Stockings in Reducing Occupational Oedema in Standing and Seated Healthy Individuals.

Cleusa Ema Quilici Belczak,Amélia Cristina Seidel,Rubiana Neves Ramos,Roberto Augusto Caffaro,Sergio Belczak,José Maria Pereira De Godoy

doi:10.1155/2018/2053985

Abstract

Background Elastic compression stockings (ECS) are effective in preventing and reducing occupational edema (OE), but the optimal pressure according to the prevalent working position during the day is still controversial. Objective To compare the effectiveness of ECS with different pressures (15–20 mmHg or 20–30 mmHg) for reducing OE in individuals working in different prolonged postures. Methods This cross-sectional study comprised 116 lower limbs of 58 individuals divided into three groups according to their prevalent postures over the day (sitting, standing, or combination). Volumetric measurements were taken at the beginning and at the end of three consecutive days. On the first day, individuals did not use compression stockings; on the second and third days, they used, respectively, 15–20 mmHg and 20–30 mmHg knee-length stockings. Differences between morning and evening volumes (measured edema) were calculated, compared, and correlated. Results Volumetric variations were significantly lower on the second compared to the first day when individuals in all three groups used 15–20 mmHg compression stockings (p-value < 0.001). Measurements were even lower when they used 20–30 mmHg stockings: this decrease was more significant for the sitting (p-value < 0.001) than the standing (p-value < 0.05) and combined groups (p-value < 0.05). Reduction of measured edema was more significant in individuals working in a prolonged seated position. No significant difference was found only on comparing sitting and standing groups after the use of the 15–20 mmHg compression stockings. Conclusions The use of ECS over a working day reduces OE in prolonged sitting, standing, and combined positions, with the reductions being greater with the higher pressure.

Highlights

Occupational edema (OE) of the lower limbs (LL) has been associated with venous diseases since 1960 [1,2,3,4]
There has recently been a suggestion that greater occupational edema (OE) is more common in individuals who work for longer stretches in the seated position than in those who stand for long periods [13]
The fact is that OE is uncomfortable; it causes a feeling of heaviness and tiredness and can lead to reduced productivity, increased work absenteeism, and poor quality of life, as well as being perhaps one of the first manifestations of decompensation of the venous and lymphatic systems [12], in particular in individuals with higher body mass indexes [14]

Summary

Introduction

Occupational edema (OE) of the lower limbs (LL) has been associated with venous diseases since 1960 [1,2,3,4]. Elastic compression stockings (ECS) are effective in preventing and reducing occupational edema (OE), but the optimal pressure according to the prevalent working position during the day is still controversial. This cross-sectional study comprised 116 lower limbs of 58 individuals divided into three groups according to their prevalent postures over the day (sitting, standing, or combination). Volumetric variations were significantly lower on the second compared to the first day when individuals in all three groups used 15–20 mmHg compression stockings (p-value < 0.001). No significant difference was found only on comparing sitting and standing groups after the use of the 15–20 mmHg compression stockings. The use of ECS over a working day reduces OE in prolonged sitting, standing, and combined positions, with the reductions being greater with the higher pressure

Objectives

Methods

Results

Conclusion