Background: Healthy workers who stand for prolonged periods show enhanced production of reactive oxygen species (ROS) in their systemic circulation. Oxidative stress is thought to be a risk factor for chronic venous insufficiency and other systemic diseases.
Aim: To evaluate the effectiveness of compression stockings in the prevention of oxidative stress at work.
Methods: ROS and venous pressure of the lower limbs were measured in 55 theatre nurses who stood in the operating theatre for >6 h, 23 industrial ironers who stood for up to 5 h during their shift and 65 outpatient department nurses and 35 laundry workers who acted as controls. Subjects and controls were examined on two consecutive days before and after work and with and without compression stockings.
Results: Without compression stockings, lower limb venous pressure increased significantly after work in all subjects and controls (P < 0.001), while only operating theatre nurses showed significantly higher mean levels of ROS (P < 0.001). There was no significant difference in venous pressures and ROS levels after work in subjects or controls when wearing compression stockings.
Conclusions: Our data suggest a preventive role of compression stockings against oxidative stress in healthy workers with a standing occupation.