Martínez DY, Fernández QLC, Cabrera ZJL, Almeida HL

Language: Spanish
References: 0
Page: 17-27
PDF size: 123.80 Kb.

ABSTRACT

Introduction: Peripheral arterial disease of lower limbs is a health problem because of its impact on the quality of life of individuals and the high cost of care.
Objective: To describe the state of the quality of life of patients with peripheral arterial disease of limbs in stages starting them.
Methods: A descriptive-retrospective study was conducted in 51 patients diagnosed with peripheral arterial disease of lower limbs and treated in the outpatient arteriology service of the Institute of Angiology during January to December 2012. The studied variables were: age, smoking, indexes of ankle / arm pressures, quality of life scales and physical and mental health. The SF-36 generic quality of life questionnaire was administered to all the patients, which provides information about the physical and mental health of the patient.
Results: We found that arterial disease was more frequent in males (78.4%), mainly in the 60-70 y age group (68.8%) in which 100% smoked and 80.4% did not work. In the study group, 50.9 % showed moderate range of ankle / arm index values (0.4- 0.6). The prevailing level of quality was moderate (72.5%). The IIa staging of disease was present in 58.8% of patients, who also showed altered physical and mental health.
Conclusions: It was found that patients with peripheral arterial disease of the lower limbs at early stages have moderate level of quality of life with deterioration in their physical and mental health.