OP082 A META-REVIEW OF THE IMPACT OF COMPRESSION THERAPY ON VENOUS LEG ULCER HEALING.

Aim: To appraise and synthesise findings from existing systematic reviews that measured the impact of compression therapy on venous leg ulcers (VLU) healing. Method: We searched five databases to identify potential papers; three authors extracted data, and a fourth author adjudicated the findings. The AMSTAR-2 tool was used for quality appraisal and the certainty of the evidence was appraised using GRADEpro. Data analysis was undertaken using RevMan. Results / Discussion: We identified 12 systematic reviews published between 1997 and 2021. AMSTAR-2 assessment identified three as high quality, five as moderate quality, and four as low-quality. Seven comparisons were reported, with a meta analysis undertaken for 5 of these comparisons: compression versus no compression (Risk Ratio [RR]: 1.55; 95% Confidence Interval [CI] 1.34-1.78; p<0.00001; moderate-certainty evidence); elastic compression versus inelastic compression (RR: 1.02; 95% CI: 0.96-1.08; p<0.61 moderate-certainty evidence); 4 layer versus <4 layer bandage systems (RR: 1.07; 95% CI: 0.82-1.40; p<0.63; moderatecertainty evidence); comparison between different 4 layer bandage systems (RR: 1.08; 95% CI: 0.93-1.25; p=0.34; moderatecertainty evidence); compression bandage versus compression stocking (RR 0.95; 95% CI 0.87-1.03; p=0.18; moderate-certainty evidence). Conclusion: The main conclusion from this review is that there is a statistically significant difference in healing rates when compression is used compared to no compression, with moderate certainty evidence. Otherwise, there is no statistically different difference in healing rates using elastic compression versus inelastic compression, 4 layer versus <4 layer bandage systems, different 4 layer bandage systems, or compression bandages versus compression stockings. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]