Disability and quality of life in people with peripheral arterial disease and intermittent claudication

Peripheral arterial disease (PAD) is a common manifestation of atherosclerosis involving narrowing of the lower extremity arteries and adversely affecting health, walking and quality of life. Symptomatic PAD (PAD-IC) is characterized by intermittent claudication (IC), a cramping leg pain that occurs with walking, causing the individual to stop walking until the pain subsides.;The aims of this study were to describe the differences in walking speed, walking distance and gait parameters between subjects with PAD-IC and controls, and to describe the factors that explain physical function score (PFS) and quality of life (PADQOL) in subjects with PAD-IC.;This cross-sectional study included 25 subjects with PAD-IC and 26 controls similar in age, gender and physical activity status. Subjects participated in one session where gait was measured and questionnaires administered. Differences in means were analyzed using student t-tests. Univariate and multivariate linear regression methods were used to identify the factors that explained PFS and PADQOL in subjects with PAD-IC.;Groups were similar in demographic and psychosocial variables (p > .05). There were no significant differences between groups in either usual or maximal walking speed or any gait variable (step length, cadence, stride width, toe out angle) at either usual or maximal walking speed (p > .05). Six-minute walk distances were significantly less in the PAD-IC group than the control group (p < .001). PAD group was the most significant predictor of PFS; this relationship was not modified by any independent variable. Social support score was the most significant contributor to PADQOL in subjects with PAD-IC (r = .623, p = .001).;In PAD-IC, the level of disability appears to be a direct result of PAD and IC; walking measurements are insignificant modifiers of the level of disability. Social support levels contribute more to quality of life than either physical function or personal beliefs. A treatment approach that includes exercise training and social interaction is recommended to improve both physical function and quality of life.