Large Gaps in Public Awareness of Peripheral Arterial Disease in Hong Kong: A Cross Sectional Study

Abstract

Abstract BACKGROUND Peripheral arterial disease (PAD) is prevalent and associated with significant cardiovascular (CV) mortality and morbidity. However, PAD is under-recognized and awareness is low in the community, especially in Asian countries. We aimed to assess awareness of PAD relative to other CV diseases and risk factors and perceived consequence of PAD. Insights into public awareness of PAD will form the basis to develop strategies to improve clinical care for PAD patients.METHODS 1,008 adults attending outpatient clinics at the Prince of Wales Hospital, Hong Kong were recruited between January 2020 and August 2020. Participants were considered (i) aware of a condition if they have “heard about and could describe the disease” or (ii) not aware if they cannot. Bivariate analysis for awareness of PAD by selected participant characteristics was performed, and differences between groups were analyzed with Pearson’s chi-square tests.RESULTS Only 36.7% of participants were aware of PAD which was significantly lower than diabetes, hyperlipidemia, hypertension, coronary artery disease and cerebrovascular disease. Among patients who were aware of PAD, most associated the disease with walking difficulties and blood clots but significantly fewer were aware of serious CV complications including death, heart attack, stroke and limb loss.CONCLUSION Overall awareness of CV diseases and risk factors was high. However, awareness of PAD was significantly lower compared to other CV diseases and risk factors. Education ought to emphasize on CV complications of PAD which are comparable to that of CAD and CVD.