RESUMO
BACKGROUND: Occupational lower limb edema is an important factor in deterioration of quality of life. Prevention involves prescription of prophylactic measures, such as wearing compression stockings. OBJECTIVES: To evaluate the effectiveness of compression stocking for prevention of occupational edema and its repercussions for the quality of life of hairdressers. METHODS: A clinical trial involving measurements of the ankles (point B) and calves (Point C) of 38 hairdressers without venous disease at the beginning and end of workdays spent wearing or not wearing compression stockings. Participants also answered a questionnaire about symptoms and quality of life in venous disease. RESULTS: Point B measurements were: 21.1 ± 2.2 cm in the morning without stockings; 22.1 ± 2.3 cm at the end of the day without stockings (p = 0.0001 compared to baseline without stockings); and 21.2 ± 2.1 cm at the end of the day wearing compression stockings (p = 0.0001 compared to the end of day not wearing compression stockings). The comparison between point B values for the start of the day without compression stockings and the end of the day with stockings (p = 0.324) was not significant, showing that there was no lower limb edema at the end of the working day when compression stockings were worn. Improvements were observed in ratings for limitations of work activities (p = 0.0001), domestic activities (p = 0.008) and leisure or social activities performed standing up(p = 0.0001). CONCLUSIONS: Compression stockings are effective for preventing occupational lower limb edema and the attenuation of symptoms such as pain and fatigue directly contributes to better quality of life for hairdressers.
RESUMO
Resumo Contexto O edema ocupacional (EO) de membros inferiores (MMII) é um importante fator de queda na qualidade de vida, e a sua prevenção impõe a prescrição de medidas profiláticas, como o uso de meias de compressão (MCs). Objetivos Avaliar a efetividade das MCs na prevenção do EO e a sua repercussão na qualidade de vida de cabeleireiras. Métodos Este ensaio clínico realizou medidas de tornozelo e panturrilha de 38 cabeleireiras sem doença venosa no início e no final da jornada de trabalho em um momento sem e em outro usando MCs. Também responderam um questionário sobre sintomas e qualidade de vida em doença venosa. Resultados Os valores do ponto B foram de 21,1±2,2 cm no momento inicial sem meias, 22,1±2,3 cm no momento final sem meias (p = 0,0001 em relação ao inicial sem meias), e 21,2±2,1 cm no momento final com meias (p = 0,0001 em relação ao final sem meias). Não foi significante a diferença entre os valores médios do ponto B inicial sem meias e final com meias (p=0,324), ou seja, não houve formação de edema nos MMII ao final da jornada de trabalho em ortostatismo prolongado quando em uso de MCs. Pôde-se observar melhora da limitação sobre as atividades laborais (p = 0,0001), domésticas (p = 0,008) e de lazer ou sociais em pé (p = 0,0001). Conclusões As MCs são efetivas na prevenção do EO de MMII, e a atenuação de sintomas como dor e fadiga contribui diretamente para melhor qualidade de vida de cabeleireiras.
Abstract Background Occupational lower limb edema is an important factor in deterioration of quality of life. Prevention involves prescription of prophylactic measures, such as wearing compression stockings. Objectives To evaluate the effectiveness of compression stocking for prevention of occupational edema and its repercussions for the quality of life of hairdressers. Methods A clinical trial involving measurements of the ankles (point B) and calves (Point C) of 38 hairdressers without venous disease at the beginning and end of workdays spent wearing or not wearing compression stockings. Participants also answered a questionnaire about symptoms and quality of life in venous disease. Results Point B measurements were: 21.1 ± 2.2 cm in the morning without stockings; 22.1 ± 2.3 cm at the end of the day without stockings (p = 0.0001 compared to baseline without stockings); and 21.2 ± 2.1 cm at the end of the day wearing compression stockings (p = 0.0001 compared to the end of day not wearing compression stockings). The comparison between point B values for the start of the day without compression stockings and the end of the day with stockings (p = 0.324) was not significant, showing that there was no lower limb edema at the end of the working day when compression stockings were worn. Improvements were observed in ratings for limitations of work activities (p = 0.0001), domestic activities (p = 0.008) and leisure or social activities performed standing up(p = 0.0001). Conclusions Compression stockings are effective for preventing occupational lower limb edema and the attenuation of symptoms such as pain and fatigue directly contributes to better quality of life for hairdressers.
