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Evidence Summary
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Got It, Hide thisAfter a blood clot in the leg (deep vein thrombosis), compression stockings do not reduce complications
Berntsen CF, Kristiansen A, Akl EA, et al. Compression Stockings for Preventing the Postthrombotic Syndrome in Patients with Deep Vein Thrombosis. Am J Med. 2016;129:447.e1–447.e20
Review question
In people with a recent blood clot in the leg, are elastic compression stockings effective for reducing complications and recurrence?
Background
In people who have had blood clots in the leg (deep vein thrombosis), postthrombotic syndrome is a common complication. It includes symptoms such as leg swelling, itching, pain, and cramps. If you have had a blood clot in the leg, your doctor may suggest you wear a compression stocking to reduce swelling. These stockings are made of special elastic fabric. They may also help reduce your risk of getting postthrombotic syndrome or another blood clot in the leg.
How the review was done
The researchers did a systematic review, searching for studies that were published up to January 2015.
They found 7 randomized controlled trials with 1,581 people (average age 46 to 64 years, 43% to 60% men).
The key features of the studies were:
- people had a previous blood clot in the leg that caused symptoms;
- the blood clot was confirmed with imaging such as ultrasound;
- people were treated with compression stockings starting 2 days to 1 year after the blood clot;
- compression stockings were compared with no treatment or stockings that didn’t include compression; and
- people were followed up for 2 to 7 years.
What the researchers found
Rates of complications, clot recurrence, death, and pain were similar in patients who used compression stockings and those who did not.
Conclusion
After a blood clot in the leg, elastic compression stockings do not reduce complications or prevent recurrence.
Compression stockings vs no compression stockings after a blood clot in the leg
| Outcomes | Number of trials and people | Rate of events with compression stockings | Rate of events without compression stockings | Absolute effect of compression stockings |
| Postthrombotic syndrome* | 5 trials (1,418 people) | Not reported | Not reported | No difference in effect at 2 to 7 years |
| Recurrence of blood clot in the leg | 5 trials (1,283 people) | 11% | 13% | No difference in effect† at 2 to 7 years |
| Death | 5 trials (1,214 people) | 11% | 11% | No difference in effect at 2 to 7 years |
| Pain | 1 trial (806 people) | Not reported | Not reported | No difference in effect at 2 months |
Related Topics
Glossary
Studies where people are assigned to one of the treatments purely by chance.
A comprehensive evaluation of the available research evidence on a particular topic.
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