Graduated Compression Leader SIGVARIS Announces Results of Pilot Study About Diabetes and the Benefits of using Graduated Compression Socks

PEACHTREE CITY, GA, January 25, 2012 (Press-News.org) According to the American Diabetes Association, every 17 seconds someone is diagnosed with diabetes and recent studies estimate that one in three Americans will have diabetes by 2050. Based on these statistics, SIGVARIS, the global leader in compression therapy, initiated new research that has a direct impact on the quality of life for diabetic patients.

In a recent pilot study, the use of the SIGVARIS Diabetic Compression Socks reduced edema in patients with diabetes. "The use of the SIGVARIS mild (18-25mmHg) compression diabetic socks showed statistically significant decreases in calf, ankle and foot circumferences in this initial study, and may help patients with diabetes and lower extremity edema without compromising lower extremity vascularity," says Dr. Stephanie Wu of the Rosalind Franklin School of Medicine at the William Scholl College of Podiatry in Chicago.

As a result of these findings, SIGVARIS has launched the new Diabetic Compression Socks used in the study that were designed specifically for diabetic patients with the optimum amount of graduated compression for their medical condition. The SIGVARIS Diabetic Compression Socks feature 18-25mmHg of graduated compression, a non-binding band, flat toe seam, soft padding and Drirelease , providing moisture wicking.

According to this initial study, patients who were able to wear this level of compression experienced an increase in their activity level because their legs did not ache. "A newly diagnosed diabetic patient gets a second chance at improving his or her health by wearing graduated compression socks," says Judith Brannan, SIGVARIS' Medical Affairs and Education Manager in the United States. "When a diabetic patient's legs feel better, they are able to have a more active lifestyle, which along with changes in their diet, may improve their overall diabetic situation." The second phase of the study has currently begun and the results will be available in late spring.

Brannan says that many diabetic patients will benefit from this research and that all patients should talk to their physician to help determine if the SIGVARIS Diabetic Compression Socks are right for them.

To learn more, visit: http://www.sigvarisus.com/product/diabetic-compression-socks.

About SIGVARIS
SIGVARIS North America is part of an internationally active medical device group headquartered in Winterthur, Switzerland that focuses on the development, production and distribution of medical compression garments, including hosiery and socks. With distribution in more than 50 countries on six continents, SIGVARIS is recognized as a global industry leader in the area of compression therapy for the management of chronic venous disorders. Our US manufacturing plant is located in Peachtree City, GA. For more information, please visit http://www.sigvarisus.com. SIGVARIS, LIFE FOR LEGS and the leg icon are trademarks of SIGVARIS AG in Switzerland and are registered in many countries worldwide.