Moderate and high elastic compression hosiery did not differ statistically for recurrence of venous ulceration at 5 years
Q What is the relative effectiveness of high compression (class 3) and moderate compression (class 2) hosiery for prevention of venous ulcer recurrence?
METHODS
Design:
randomised controlled trial.
Allocation:
concealed (although concealment was potentially compromised in the allocation of 2 patients).
Blinding:
blinded {data analysts}.*
Follow up period:
5 years.
Setting:
leg ulcer clinics at 2 hospitals in Scotland, UK.
Patients:
300 patients (mean age 64 y, 58% women) with newly healed venous leg ulcers defined by clinical, Doppler, or duplex criteria. Exclusion criteria were diabetes, an ankle-brachial pressure index <0.8, or seropositive rheumatoid arthritis.
Intervention:
151 patients were allocated to moderate compression (18–24 mm Hg at the ankle) with class 2 graduated knee or thigh length compression hosiery (Jobst, BSN Medical, Hull or Medi, Medi, Hereford, UK), and 149 patients were allocated …
