Peripheral arterial disease: presentation and prognosis
THE CONTEXT
Peripheral arterial disease often has no presenting symptoms. Intermittent claudication is its commonest symptom and is associated with substantial cardiovascular mortality.
Frequency and presentation
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Peripheral arterial disease is estimated to affect about 20% of people aged 55–75 years in the UK.
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Only 25% of patients present with symptoms; intermittent claudication is the commonest symptom.
Limb outcomes and mortality
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Each year, about 1%–2% of patients with intermittent claudication progress to requiring amputation or revascularisation.
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Annual mortality in intermittent claudication is about 5%, approximately 2–3 times that of the general population of the same age and sex.
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Death is typically due to myocardial infarction or stroke, reflecting the nearly universal association of intermittent claudication with widespread atherosclerosis.