Elastic stockings in diabetic microangiopathy. Long-term clinical and microcirculatory evaluation.
One hundred and forty nine diabetics with microangiopathy were followed up for 4 years and studied by laser-Doppler flowmetry - measuring skin blood flux at rest [RF] and the venoarteriolar response [VAR]. Seventy four patients were advised to wear elastic stockings and 75 were kept as controls with the aim of evaluating the effects of stockings on the evolution of diabetic microangiopathy. After 4 years a significant deterioration was found in RF (increased) and VAR (decreased) in the untreated group in comparison with controls. Also 10 ulcerations developed in the untreated subjects (6.6% of limbs) in comparison with 3 ulcerations (2.02%) in the treated group. The difference was statistically significant. Therefore elastic stockings appear to be useful in diabetics with microangiopathy as they protect against the deterioration of the microcirculation and reduce the development of ulcerations.
Belcaro
G
G
Microcirculation Laboratory, G. D'Annunzio University, Chieti, Italy.
Laurora
G
G
Cesarone
M R
MR
Pomante
P
P
D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D001458:Bandages; D003925:Diabetic Angiopathies / Q000503:physiopathology / Q000628:therapy*; D003929:Diabetic Neuropathies / Q000503:physiopathology / Q000628:therapy; D005260:Female; D005500:Follow-Up Studies; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008833:Microcirculation / Q000503:physiopathology; D008875:Middle Aged