Effect of Graduated Elastic compRession Hosiery on vAricose Veins and Leg Edema in PrEgnant Women

Each pregnant woman randomly receive an envelope. Those who received numbers 01 to 40 constitute the intervention group, and those with numbers 41 to 80 are in the control group.The intervention group will use a thigh length stockings with a compression of 23-32 mmHg, at least 8 hours a day. Verbal and written instructions on the proper use of the stockings will provide. During follow-up period, monitoring the regular use of compression stockings are performed every week. The physical characteristics of the patients, including the age, height, weight, and gestational week, are obtained and recorded. The clinical evaluation are performed using clinical-etiological and anatomical-pathophysiological assessment based on the CEAP classification.

Clinical examinations, QoL assessment and duplex-ultrasound will perform two qualified physicians in the 160 lower limbs of the 80 pregnant women with VV's at three landmark periods: between the 12th and 15th (initial examination), 20th and 28th (intermediate examination), and between the 28th and 36rd (final examination) week of gestation. The study protocol includes examination of the deep and superficial venous system with recording the reflux time and great and small saphenous veins (GSV/SSV) diameters in seven preestablished points, 5 points in the GSV and 2 points in the SSV. A reflux time in the superficial veins above 0.5 s is considered pathological reflux.

The ankle and lower leg circumference are measured using a measuring tape. Measurements are carried out at the lateral and medial ankle and the middle of the lower leg. All measurements are carried out at the same time of the respective days in the late afternoon or early evening; before the measurements the patients underwent a 45-min temperature and cardiovascular equilibrium period in a sitting position.

The QoL and subjective symptoms: tired, heavy legs, sensation of tension, tingling, and pain are assessed at each visit before the volume measurements and ultrasonographic evaluation. The subjective symptoms are evaluated by use of a semiquantitative scale from 0 to 3: 0 = no symptoms; 1 = mild; 2 = moderate; and 3 = severe. The QoL is investigated at each visit by a Chronic Venous Insufficiency Questionnaire (CIVIQ).