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Evidence summaries

Compression Stockings for Preventing Deep Vein Thrombosis in Airline Passengers

Wearing compression stockings substantially reduces the incidence of symptomless deep vein thrombosis and may reduce leg oedema in airline passengers on long-haul flights compared with no compression stockings. Level of evidence: "A"

A Cochrane review [Abstract] 1 included 12 studies with a total of 2 833 subjects. Ten studies compared wearing graduated compression stockings on both legs versus not wearing them, 1 study (n = 50) compared wearing graduated compression tights versus not wearing them, and 1 study (n=35) compared wearing a graduated compression stocking on one leg for the outbound flight and on the other leg on the return flight. Eight studies (n=1 598) included people judged to be at low or medium risk and 2 (n=1 273) included high risk participants. All flights had a duration of more than 5 hours. No deaths, pulmonary emboli or symptomatic deep vein thrombosis (DVT) were reported. Wearing stockings reduced symptomless DVTs (high-quality evidence), superficial vein thrombosis (moderate-quality evidence), and leg oedema (low-quality evidence) (table T1). No significant adverse effects were reported.

Compression stockings compared with no compression stockings for people taking long haul flights

Outcome Follow-up immediately post flight to 48 hoursRelative effect(95% CI)Assumed risk - No compression stockingsCorresponding risk - Intervention - Compression stockings (95% CI)No of participants (studies)
Symptomless DVT: low risk populationOR 0.10(0.04 to 0.25)10 / 10001 / 1000 (0 to 3)2637(9)
Symptomless DVT:high risk populationOR 0.10(0.04 to 0.25)30 / 10003 / 1000 (1 to 8)2637(9)
Superficial vein thrombosisOR 0.45(0.18 to 1.13)13 per 10006 per 1000(2 to 15)1804(8)
Oedema:Immediately post flight, scale 0 to 10 (0 = no oedema)-6 to 9On average 4.7 lower (4.9 lower to 4.5 lower)1246(6)

    References

    • Clarke MJ, Broderick C, Hopewell S et al. Compression stockings for preventing deep vein thrombosis in airline passengers. Cochrane Database Syst Rev 2021;(4):CD004002. [PubMed]

Primary/Secondary Keywords