Practices and perceptions of physicians to prescribing elastic compression stockings in a single center in Saudi Arabia.

Objective: To assess Saudi physicians' attitudes, practices, and perceptions towards use of elastic compression stockings (ECS) and knowledge of effective treatment in patients with deep vein thrombosis (DVT).

Methods: In January 2009, we surveyed 38 physicians from King Saud University, Riyadh, Kingdom of Saudi Arabia who are involved in the management and treatment of patients with DVT.

Results: Thirty (78.9%) of 38 respondents have prescribed ECS in their practices wherein only 6 (20%) prescribed ECS to patients only if venous signs and symptoms are present. Not all respondents perceived benefit from use ECS. Common perceived benefits included control of edema (70%), prevention of DVT recurrence (56.7%) and control of symptoms (46.7%). The main reasons for patient non-compliance were discomfort (66.7%), hard to put on (16.7%), appearance (13.3%), no help (10%), and makes leg worse (3.3%).

Conclusion: The prescription of ECS in our institution needs to be systematically examined. Physicians involved in the management of DVT need to be further acquainted with the benefit of ECS. Although some of our respondents do prescribe ECS, they need to be further instructed on the timing of initiation of ECS, duration of therapy, and even compression strength.