Recent French data describing real-life compression stocking use are lacking. This study aimed to describe the actual situation for patients who were prescribed compression stockings by their general practitioner and to assess annual treatment costs from a societal perspective.

A retrospective analysis using Disease Analyzer database data from 6349 adults with at least one compression stocking prescription between July 2009 and June 2010.

Mean patient age was 58 years, and 72.3% of patients were women. Seven out of 10 patients received only a single compression stocking prescription over one year. The estimated mean annual per patient cost was 152.2 ± 100.7 Euros.

Most patients received only a single compression stocking prescription during one year. General practitioners prescribing compression stockings more often may have a better understanding of venous disease and may manage their patients differently. Although more expensive, this approach may be one which should be accepted more widely.