Quality of Life in a Group of Patients with Intermittent Claudication

Abstract

In view of the increasing importance of chronic diseases in recent years, not only quantity but also quality of life has been taken into consideration. The aim of this study was to verify the quality of life in patients with peripheral obstructive arteriopathies of second degree according to the Leriche-Fontaine classification. Therefore, the authors administrated three different questionnaires to patients selected among those who came to the Angiology Ambulatory Care of the Medical Clinic of the University of Trieste. The questionnaires used were the following: McMaster Health Index Questionnaire (MHIQ), "Squibb" Quality of Life, General Health Index Questionnaire (GHIQ). The analysis of the results of the questionnaires shows the severe limitation of physical capacities of this kind of patients (overall mean functional limitation of 69% of the maximum value of 1, corresponding to an ideal state of well-being, with negative peaks of 50%). A negative tendency regarding social life and relationship is represented by different scores (from 52% to 66% of ideal maximum) from different items and questionnaires. Also the items concerning somatic disorders, sleeplessness, and states of anxiety gave results near the percentage of 70% and for this reason were indicative of a state of unwell-being. The data obtained from the items regarding the presence of a state of depression gave a result less predictable: a score of 87% with peaks over 90% could be indicative of a positive tendency. This last result, consistent with others of analogous studies in the literature, seems to indicate that peripheral arterial disease, even if physically restricting, does not have a strong impact on the psychological and emotional equilibrium of the patients.