OBJECTIVE: patients with chronic venous insufficiency (CVI) benefit subjectively from treatment with graduated compression stockings. Usually, class 11 compression is used in patients with CVI grade 11. The present study investigates possible differences between graduated compression of classes 1 and 11. DESIGN: Randomized study. SETTING: Department of Vascular Surgery and Vascular Laboratory, University Hospital, Lund. PATIENTS AND METHODS: Thirty-one patients, nine male and 22 female (59 legs), all with grade 11 CVI. Foot volumetry and a visual analogue scale (VAS) were used to assess symptoms. Patients were randomized to either class 1 or class 11 graduated compression, and the examinations were repeated after 8 weeks of treatment. RESULTS: The VAS assessment showed that all patients benefited to the same extent and there were no differences between the two compression classes. An increase of the expelled volume with compression was recorded, to a significant degree with class 1 compression. Reflux values were not significantly influenced by either grade of compression. CONCLUSION: Class 1 graduated compression did not show any difference in subjective effect or objective parameters compared with Class 11. Class 1 compression can be recommended instead of class 11 compression, especially in patients who find that the higher pressure on the leg causes discomfort.

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