The effect of daytime knee-length graduated compression stockings on nocturia: A randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled trial

Introduction and hypothesis:

Nocturia is the frequency that an individual passes urine during their main sleep period, according to the ICS. For the majority of adults, nocturia is multi-etiological and this may require a multicomponent intervention to optimize improvement. Therefore. Wearing knee-length graduated compression stockings (GCS) during the day may be beneficial in improving nocturia by increasing venous return and reducing edema in the lower extremities. This study evaluated the effects of GCS and non-GCS use.

Methods:

This online, randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled trial was conducted in Japan. A total of 170 participants with nocturia aged 40–79 years were prospectively recruited and randomly assigned to the GCS (n $=$ 85) and non-GCS (placebo, n $=$ 85) groups to undergo a 14-day intervention after a 7-day observation period. Outcome measures included percent change in nighttime frequency between the GCS and non-GCS groups baseline, earlier intervention, and later intervention periods, Nocturia Quality of Life Questionnaire (N-QoL) score, and adverse events.

Results:

There were 168 participants were included in the analysis. The GCS and non-GCS groups had a similar mean $\pm$ standard deviation age (58.1 ± 9.6 vs. 60.2 ± 8.4 years) and similar causes of nighttime frequency. The mean baseline nighttime frequency was 1.2 ($\pm$0.7) and 1.2 ($\pm$0.7) time/night for the GCS and non-GCS groups, respectively. The GCS group showed a 54.3% reduction in the nighttime frequency from baseline to the later periods, which is significantly better than the 30.5% reduction in the non-GCS group (p $=$ 0.004). Nighttime frequency decreased significantly from baseline to the earlier and later periods in both the GCS group (1.2 ± 0.7 to 0.8 ± 0.5 to 0.5 ± 0.5 times/night, p $<$ 0.001) and the non-GCS group (1.2 $\pm$ 0.7 to 0.8 ± 0.6 to 0.8 ± 0.7 times/night, p $<$ 0.001). The total N-QoL score did not differ between the two groups, with both groups showing significant improvements in QoL during the baseline period and the end of the intervention (p $<$ 0.001). No adverse events were reported in either group.

Conclusion:

Both GCS and non-GCS can be considered safe and effective interventions for nocturia, with GCS being the more effective option.