Quality of life in patients with peripheral arterial occlusive disease

The aim of this study was to evaluate the quality of life (QOL) in patients with chronic peripheral arterial occlusive disease (PAOD) of the lower extremities according to the severity of the disease. Seventy-five PAOD patients were included in the study. Quality of life was evaluated with the questionnaire SF-36. The analysis of the results showed a severe limitation of physical activity by 54%, vitality by 58% and social functioning by 45% of the ideal maximum. The emotional status was adversely affected by 63%. Bodily pain was reported to reduce the quality of life by 65%. The patients believed that their general health status was reduced by 45% compared to the ideal. All the evaluated parameters were significantly worse in Fontaine stages III and IV patients compared to those in stage II. The results show that PAOD exerts a detrimental impact on the QOL. This becomes more prominent among patients with severe ischemia of the lower limbs.