Quality of life of patients with lower extremity peripheral arterial disease

Abstract

Introduction: Quality of life (QoL) is a broad term that refers to the degree of well-being and personal satisfaction felt by a person or group of people. The concepts depends on economic indicators as well as subjective assessment of personal well-being, formed in a wide variety of criteria of physical, mental and social well-being.The aim of this study was to investigate the quality of life of patients with Lower Extremity Peripheral Arterial Disease (PAD) who have experienced surgical and / or endovascular revascularization (TEA, bypass, PTA, stent). Material and methods: A clinical study was conducted among 90 participants diagnosed with PAD - 50 (55.6%) men and 40(44.4%) women, aged 50 to 82 years (mean age 65.8 years), hospitalized in the Department of vascular surgery and angiology of Tokuda Hospital - Sofia, who underwent revascularization. Study was done before and 6 months after hospitalization. During the study of patients with PAD we used: clinical examination, ankle-brachial index (ABI), conventional angiography or multidetected CT angiography. We used interviews to identify the underlying cardiovascular risk profile and comorbidity and determine gather clinical and social data of patients (by conducting interviews of 21 questions divided into three parts). Study of QoL, associated with the disease used EuroQol group 5 dimension questionnaire, (EQ-5D-5L) and visual analogue scale (VAS) - measuring health status, according to the self-assessment of the patient. Results: This study clearly shows that the surgical and / or endovascular revascularization in patients with PAD significantly improves the patient`s health, by increasing the level of mobility and usual physical activity, and while reducing the degree of pain and discomfort, anxiety and depression, which results in an increase in quality of life. After the revascularization, the quality of life has improved significantly more in women than in men. During their illness patients are supported by their families, friends and healthcare providers, but find little public support. Conclusion After analyzing the results, it appeared that surgical and / or endovascular revascularization significantly improved the quality of life of patients with PAD. The study of quality of life can improve the care of patients with PADKey words: quality of life, revascularization, lower extremity peripheral arterial disease