Intermittent Claudication – ABC CARDIOL

IJCS

Original Article

Effects of Noninvasive Electrostimulation on Symptoms of lower Limb Peripheral Arterial Disease: a Systematic Review

Ana Paula Ferreira et al. Ana Flávia Ferreira Plinio dos Santos Ramos Thiago Casali Rocha Djalma Rabelo Ricardo

Abstract

Background:

Peripheral arterial disease (PAD) is primarily characterized by intermittent claudication (IC), a symptom resulting from insufficient oxygen supply to skeletal muscles during physical activity. IC manifests as discomfort in the lower limbs during exertion due to muscle ischemia and is typically relieved by rest.

Objectives:

To evaluate the effects of noninvasive electrostimulation on walking distance and claudication-related pain in individuals with lower limb PAD.

Methods:

This systematic review was conducted in accordance with PRISMA guidelines. Clinical trials published in English, Portuguese, or Spanish were selected from the MedLine, PEDro, and SciELO databases up to December 2024. The search strategy was guided by the PICO framework, using descriptors related to “peripheral artery disease,” “intermittent claudication,” and “noninvasive electrostimulation.” Studies were included if they involved human participants diagnosed with PAD and presenting with Fontaine stage II intermittent claudication.

Results:

Seven clinical trials involving a total of 314 participants (mean age: 66.8 ± 3.6 years) were included. Four types of noninvasive electrostimulation were identified: neuromuscular electrical stimulation (NMES), transcutaneous electrical nerve stimulation (TENS), functional electrical stimulation (FES), and electroacupuncture. Most studies reported that electrostimulation improved both pain-free and maximum walking distances, as well as reduced claudication symptoms.

Conclusion:

Noninvasive electrostimulation appears to be a promising adjunctive therapy for individuals with peripheral arterial disease, offering potential benefits in symptom relief and walking capacity. Given its safety, low cost, and ease of application, this intervention may serve as a practical strategy to complement traditional treatment approaches. However, further high-quality clinical trials are needed to establish standardized protocols and optimize clinical outcomes.

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Original Article

Physiological Responses to Maximal and Submaximal Walking in Patients with Symptomatic Peripheral Artery Disease

Marcel Chehuen et al. Aluisio Andrade-Lima Natan Silva Junior Roberto Miyasato … Rodrigo W. Alves de Souza Anthony Leicht Patricia Chakur Brum Edilamar M. Oliveira Nelson Wolosker Claudia Lucia de Moraes Forjaz

Abstract

Background:

Although maximal and submaximal walking are recommended for patients with peripheral artery disease (PAD), performing these exercises may induce different physiological responses.

Objectives:

To compare the acute effects of maximal and submaximal walking on post-exercise cardiovascular function, regulation, and associated pathophysiological processes in patients with symptomatic PAD.

Methods:

Thirty male patients underwent 2 sessions: maximal walking (Gardner’s protocol) and submaximal walking (15 bouts of 2 minutes of walking separated by 2 minutes of upright rest). In each session, blood pressure (BP), heart rate (HR), cardiac autonomic modulation (HR variability), forearm and calf blood flows (BF), vasodilatory capacity (reactive hyperemia), nitric oxide (NO), oxidative stress (lipid peroxidation), and inflammation (four markers) were measured pre- and post-walking. ANOVAs were employed, and p < 0.05 was considered significant.

Results:

Systolic and mean BP decreased after the submaximal session, but they increased after the maximal session (interactions, p 0.05), and it increased after maximal walking (interaction, p < 0.001). HR, sympathovagal balance, and BF increased similarly after both sessions (moment, p < 0.001, p = 0.04, and p 0.05). Vascular and intercellular adhesion molecules increased similarly after both maximal and submaximal walking sessions (moment, p = 0.001).

Conclusions:

In patients with symptomatic PAD, submaximal, but not maximal walking reduced post-exercise BP, while maximal walking maintained elevated cardiac overload during the recovery period. On the other hand, maximal and submaximal walking sessions similarly increased post-exercise HR, cardiac sympathovagal balance, and inflammation, while they did not change post-exercise NO bioavailability and oxidative stress.

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Editorial

The Paradox of Exercise Intensity in Preventing Cardiovascular Events in Peripheral Arterial Occlusive Disease

Pablo de Souza et al. Cássio Perfete

Peripheral arterial disease (PAD) is characterized by narrowing of the arteries of the lower limbs due to atherosclerotic involvement. Its clinical manifestations go far beyond just a reduction in blood flow, leading to chronic ischemia. Current evidence shows that endothelial dysfunction, oxidative stress, arterial stiffness and inflammation also lead to functional impairment, consequently to patient decline.

All these factors end up impacting the quality of life of individuals, as it reduces their walking resistance, with intermittent claudication (IC) as the main symptom. Last but not least, we have also found progressive damage to muscle fibers caused by this chronic ischemia, further worsening the dysfunction of the skeletal muscle and metabolic morphology of the limb. This ends up creating an important barrier to the practice of physical activity, perpetuating and increasing the risk of cardiovascular events.^–

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Original Article

Walking Training Improves Ambulatory Blood Pressure Variability in Claudication

Marcel da Rocha Chehuen et al. Gabriel Grizzo Cucato Celso Ricardo Fernandes de Carvalho Antonio Eduardo Zerati … Anthony Leicht Nelson Wolosker Raphael Mendes Ritti-Dias Claudia Lucia de Moraes Forjaz

Background:

Walking training (WT) improves walking capacity and reduces clinic blood pressure (BP) in patients with peripheral artery disease (PAD), but its effects on ambulatory BP remains unknown.

Objective:

To investigate the effect of 12 weeks of WT on ambulatory BP and its variability in patients with PAD.

Methods:

Thirty-five male patients with PAD and claudication symptoms were randomly allocated into two groups: control (n = 16, 30 min of stretching) and WT (n = 19, 15 bouts of 2 min of walking at the heart rate of leg pain threshold interspersed by 2 min of upright rest). Before and after 12 weeks, 24-hour ambulatory BP was assessed. Ambulatory BP variability indices assessed at both time points included the 24-hour standard deviation (SD₂₄), the awake and asleep weighted standard deviation (SD_dn), and the 24-hour average real variability (ARV₂₄). Data were analyzed by mixed two-way ANOVAs, considering P<0.05 as significant.

Results:

After 12 weeks, neither group had significant changes in 24-hour, awake and sleep BPs. The WT decreased systolic and mean BP variabilities (Systolic BP – 13.3±2.8 vs 11.8±2.3, 12.1±2.84 vs 10.7±2.5 and 9.4±2.3 vs 8.8±2.2 mmHg); Mean BP – 11.0±1.7 vs 10.4±1.9, 10.1±1.6 vs 9.1±1.7 and 8.0.±1.7 vs 7.2±1.5 mmHg) for SD_24, SD_dn and ARV₂₄, respectively). Neither group had significant changes in diastolic BP variabilities after 12 weeks.

Conclusions:

The WT does not change ambulatory BP levels but decreases ambulatory BP variability in patients with PAD. This improvement may have a favorable impact on the cardiovascular risk of patients with symptomatic PAD. (Arq Bras Cardiol. 2021; 116(5):898-905)

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Original Article

Exercise Intensity during 6-Minute Walk Test in Patients with Peripheral Artery Disease

Breno Quintella Farah et al. Raphael Mendes Ritti-Dias Polly Montgomery Gabriel Grizzo Cucato Andrew Gardner

Abstract

Background

Non-supervised ground walking has been recommended for patients with symptomatic peripheral artery disease (PAD). However, the magnitude of the effort required by this activity and the characteristics of patients whose ground walking is more intense are unclear.

Objectives

To determine whether ground walking exceeds the ventilatory threshold (VT), a recognized marker of exercise intensity, in patients with symptomatic PAD.

Methods

Seventy patients (61.4% male and aged 40 to 85 years old) with symptomatic PAD were recruited. Patients performed a graded treadmill test for VT determination. Then, they were submitted to a 6-minute walk test so the achievement of VT during ground ambulation could be identified. Multiple logistic regression was conducted to identify predictors of VT achievement during the 6-minute walk test. The significance level was set at p < 0.05 for all analyses.

Results

Sixty percent of patients achieved VT during the 6-minute walk test. Women (OR = 0.18 and 95%CI = 0.05 to 0.64) and patients with higher cardiorespiratory fitness (OR = 0.56 and 95%CI = 0.40 to 0.77) were less likely to achieve VT during ground walking compared to men and patients with lower cardiorespiratory fitness, respectively.

Conclusion

More than half of patients with symptomatic PAD achieved VT during the 6-minute walk test. Women and patients with higher cardiorespiratory fitness are less likely to achieve VT during the 6-minute walk test, which indicates that ground walking may be more intense for this group. This should be considered when prescribing ground walking exercise for these patients. (Arq Bras Cardiol. 2020; 114(3):486-492)

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Editorial

Exercise and Six-Minute Walk Test in Lower Extremity Occlusive Peripheral Arterial Disease

Tales de Carvalho

The article “Exercise Intensity During 6-min Test in Patients with Peripheral Artery Disease” provides original, practically useful information to be considered in the diagnosis, prognosis and mainly in the functional assessment that allows a better prescription of physical exercise in the medical treatment of the disease. The study was conducted with the aim of determining whether overground walking would allows the detection of the first ventilatory threshold, also known as anaerobic threshold (AT), in symptomatic patients with lower extremity occlusive peripheral arterial disease (LE-OPAD). AT is a marker of exercise intensity, useful for the determination of the optimal zone for physical training focused on improvement in cardiorespiratory fitness.

LE-OPAD is an important public health problem. According to global epidemiology report, the disease affected 202 million individuals in 2010, and 237 million in 2015, with a 22% increase during this period. The association of OPAD with major cardiovascular events (MACE) has been well documented; in the severe stage of the disease, with presence of critical ischemia, there is a high risk of cardiovascular events, lower limb amputation and death, with association with elevated levels of cardiac troponin and N terminal pro-brain natriuretic peptide (NT-proBNP).

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Editorial

Aspects of Non-Pharmacological Treatment in Peripheral Arterial Disease

Maria Janieire de N. Nunes Alves et al. Francis Ribeiro de Souza

Peripheral arterial disease (PAD) is one of the main atherosclerotic diseases in the elderly population which limits the performance of physical activity. Patients with PAD who have intermittent claudication may have gait impairment, which compromises daily living activities. In addition, these patients have other comorbidities that may increase cardiovascular risk.^, Regular exercise is a non-drug treatment recommended for the prevention and treatment of cardiovascular disease. On the other hand, maintaining adherence to a physical training program becomes a major challenge.

The present study exposes the physical activity pattern of patients with PAD and demonstrates the high rate of a sedentary lifestyle with aging. In fact, the disease itself leads to physical limitation, which in turn is also a worsening factor of the disease, since the recommendation of vigorous physical activity has therapeutic effects that contribute, in addition to the chronic use of arterial vasodilator drugs. In addition, chronic arterial vasodilation due to the use of medications may lead to reduced long-term peripheral flow, as arterial vasodilation promoted by medication further reduces perfusion pressure in the lower limb peripheral muscles and intensifies the low level of physical activity in patients with PAD, according to current physical activity recommendations.

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Original Article

Physical Activity Levels in Peripheral Artery Disease Patients

Aline Mendes Gerage et al. Marilia de Almeida Correia Paulo Mesquita Longano de Oliveira Aline Cabral Palmeira … Wagner Jorge Ribeiro Domingues Antônio Eduardo Zeratti Pedro Puech-Leão Nelson Wolosker Raphael Mendes Ritti-Dias Gabriel Grizzo Cucato

Abstract

Background:

Increases in daily physical activity levels is recommended for patients with peripheral artery disease (PAD). However, despite this recommendation, little is known about the physical activity patterns of PAD patients.

Objective:

To describe the physical activity patterns of patients with symptomatic peripheral artery (PAD) disease.

Methods:

This cross-sectional study included 174 PAD patients with intermittent claudication symptoms. Patients were submitted to clinical, hemodynamic and functional evaluations. Physical activity was objectively measured by an accelerometer, and the time spent in sedentary, low-light, high-light and moderate-vigorous physical activities (MVPA) were obtained. Descriptive analysis was performed to summarize patient data and binary logistic regression was used to test the crude and adjusted associations between adherence to physical activity recommendation and sociodemographic and clinical factors. For all the statistical analyses, significance was accepted at p < 0.05.

Results:

Patients spent in average of 640 ± 121 min/day, 269 ± 94 min/day, 36 ± 27 min/day and 15 ± 16 min/day in sedentary, low-light, high-light and MVPA, respectively. The prevalence of patients who achieved physical activity recommendations was 3.4%. After adjustment for confounders, a significant inverse association was observed between adherence to physical activity recommendation and age (OR = 0.925; p = 0.004), while time of disease, ankle brachial index and total walking distance were not associated with this adherence criteria (p > 0.05).

Conclusion:

The patterns of physical activity of PAD patients are characterized by a large amount of time spent in sedentary behaviors and a low engagement in MVPA. Younger patients, regardless of the clinical and functional factors, were more likely to meet the current physical activity recommendations.

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IJCS

Case Report

Physical Exercise for Active Skin Ulceration Secondary to Peripheral Arterial Occlusive Disease

Jefferson Petto et al. Marvyn de Santana do Sacramento Fernanda Oliveira Baptista de Almeida Jorge Bomfim Frós de Farias Euvaldo de Almeida Rosa

Introduction

Peripheral arterial occlusive disease (PAOD) is a chronic, initially subclinical, and characteristically inflammatory disease that mainly affects the carotid arteries and lower limbs.^,

When in the lower limbs, it causes intermittent claudication, associated with a shortened leg gait, cyanotic extremities and decreased muscular force associated with sarcopenia below the obstruction site. At more advanced stages, it can cause ulcerations that are difficult to heal, due to the decrease in blood flow. The final stage of pathophysiology is completed with a trophic lesion and consequent amputation of the affected limb, leading to a decrease in the quality of life and to functional limitations in activities of daily living. This results in increased costs generated by the treatment and impaired productive capacity of these patients.^,

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Original Article

Validation of a Brazilian Portuguese Version of the Walking Estimated-Limitation Calculated by History (WELCH)

Gabriel Grizzo Cucato et al. Marilia de Almeida Correia Breno Quintella Farah Glauco Fernandes Saes … Aluísio Henrique de Andrade Lima Raphael Mendes Ritti-Dias Nelson Wolosker

Abstract

Background:

The Walking Estimated-Limitation Calculated by History (WELCH) questionnaire has been proposed to evaluate walking impairment in patients with intermittent claudication (IC), presenting satisfactory psychometric properties. However, a Brazilian Portuguese version of the questionnaire is unavailable, limiting its application in Brazilian patients.

Objective:

To analyze the psychometric properties of a translated Brazilian Portuguese version of the WELCH in Brazilian patients with IC.

Methods:

Eighty-four patients with IC participated in the study. After translation and back-translation, carried out by two independent translators, the concurrent validity of the WELCH was analyzed by correlating the questionnaire scores with the walking capacity assessed with the Gardner treadmill test. To determine the reliability of the WELCH, internal consistency and test–retest reliability with a seven-day interval between the two questionnaire applications were calculated.

Results:

There were significant correlations between the WELCH score and the claudication onset distance (r = 0.64, p = 0.01) and total walking distance (r = 0.61, p = 0.01). The internal consistency was 0.84 and the intraclass correlation coefficient between questionnaire evaluations was 0.84. There were no differences in WELCH scores between the two questionnaire applications.

Conclusion:

The Brazilian Portuguese version of the WELCH presents adequate validity and reliability indicators, which support its application to Brazilian patients with IC.

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Artigo Original

Functional limitation and intermittent claudication: impact of blood pressure measurements

Rita de Cássia Gengo e Silva et al. Cassiana Rosa Galvão Giribela Nelson Wolosker Fernanda Marciano Consolim-Colombo

BACKGROUND: Arterial hypertension is an important risk factor for Lower-Limb Occlusive Arterial Disease (LLOAD). However, the correlation between blood pressure and pulse pressure (PP) with LLOAD severity and functional impairment resulting from this disease is not well established in the Brazilian population. OBJECTIVE: To verify whether there is a correlation between blood pressure, PP, LLOAD severity and functional capacity in patients with symptomatic LLOAD. METHODS: A total of 65 patients (62.2 + 8.1 years, 56.9% males) were evaluated. They were divided into two groups: normal (A) and high (B) blood pressure. LLOAD severity was assessed using the ankle-brachial index (ABI) and functional capacity by the total and pain-free walking distance at the 6-minute walking test (6MWT). RESULTS: Group A consisted of 17 (26.1%) patients. The systolic (SBP), diastolic blood pressure (DBP), and PP were, respectively, 125.4 ±11.7, 74.5 ± 9.1 and 50.9 ± 10.0 mmHg in group A and 160.7 ± 19.6, 90.0 ± 12.2 and 70.7 ± 20.2 mmHg in group B. The ABI was significantly lower in group B (0.66 ± 0.12 vs. 0.57 ± 0.13, p 40 mmHg walked shorter distances. CONCLUSION: SBP and PP significantly correlated with the distances walked in the 6MWT, suggesting they are clinical markers of functional capacity impairment in patients with symptomatic LLOAD.

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Artigo Original

Cardiovascular responses during isokinetic muscle assessment in claudicant patients

Lucas Caseri Câmara et al. Raphael Mendes Ritti-Dias Claudia Lúcia de Moraes Forjaz Júlia Maria Greve … José Maria Santarém Wilson Jacob-Filho Pedro Puech-Leão Nelson Wolosker

BACKGROUND: Isokinetic dynamometry is becoming increasingly important for the assessment of muscle function in individuals with intermittent claudication. However, there is still little information available about the cardiovascular responses of these patients during this type of assessment. OBJECTIVE: To assess and compare the cardiovascular responses recorded during the assessment of muscle strength and endurance for two exercises commonly used in patients with IC (plantar flexion/dorsiflexion and knee flexion/extension). METHODS: The sample consisted of 17 claudicant patients with stable disease for at least 6 months. During the isokinetic dynamometer testing, non-invasive measurements of heart rate, blood pressure and double product at rest and at peak exertion were obtained according to specific protocols established for muscle strength and endurance assessment. RESULTS: Except for diastolic blood pressure, heart rate, systolic blood pressure and double product values rose during the exercise compared to the resting stage (p < 0.05). Elevations in heart rate and double product values were higher during knee extension/flexion than during plantar flexion/dorsiflexion (p < 0.05). Increases in heart rate were also higher during the endurance assessment protocol than during muscle strength assessment. CONCLUSION: Isokinetic strength and endurance testing in patients with IC results in elevation of heart rate, systolic blood pressure and double product values during the exercises. These increases are higher during the muscle endurance exercises and in those involving greater muscle mass, suggesting that strength testing of small muscle groups causes less cardiovascular overload in these patients.

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Artigo Original

Translation and validation of the walking impairment questionnaire in Brazilian subjects with intermittent claudication

Raphael Mendes Ritti-Dias et al. Luis Alberto Gobbo Gabriel Grizzo Cucato Nelson Wolosker … Wilson Jacob Filho José Maria Santarém Celso Ricardo Fernandes Carvalho Cláudia Lúcia de Moraes Forjaz Maria de Fátima Nunes Marucci

BACKGROUND: The Walking Impairment Questionnaire (WIQ) has been used to evaluate walking impairment in subjects with intermittent claudication (IC). However, this questionnaire has yet to be translated to Brazilian Portuguese, which limits its use in Brazilian subjects. OBJECTIVE: To translate and analyze the validity and reliability of WIQ in Brazilian subjects with IC. METHODS: Forty-two patients with IC, determined by the ankle-brachial index < 0.90, participated in the study. After translation and re-translation, carried out by two independent translators, the construct validity of the WIQ was analyzed by correlating the WIQ scores with the Medical Outcome Study Questionnaire Short Form 36 (SF-36) scores and the physical fitness performance (treadmill and strength tests). The reliability was analyzed with a 7-day interval between two questionnaire applications. RESULTS: Significant correlations between the WIQ domains and the SF-36 (functional capacity, physical aspects, bodily pain and emotional aspects) and physical fitness performance (treadmill and strength tests) were observed. Moreover, the intraclass coefficient correlation ranged from 0.72 to 0.81, and there were no differences in WIQ scores between the two questionnaire applications. CONCLUSION: The Brazilian Portuguese version of the WIQ is valid and reliable to be used in Brazilian subjects with IC.

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Artigo Original

Prevalence and risk factors associated with peripheral arterial disease in the hearts of Brazil project

Marcia Makdisse et al. Alexandre da Costa Pereira David de Pádua Brasil Jairo Lins Borges … George Luiz Lins Machado-Coelho José Eduardo Krieger Raimundo Marques Nascimento Neto Antonio Carlos Palandri Chagas

BACKGROUND: Peripheral arterial disease (PAD) is associated with increased cardiovascular risk. In Brazil, data on PAD prevalence and risk factors are scarce. OBJECTIVE: To assess prevalence and risk factors related to PAD in Brazilian urban centers with more than 100,000 inhabitants. METHODS: National, multicenter, cross-sectional study of 1,170 individuals (>18 years), from 72 major Brazilian urban centers participating in the “Hearts of Brazil Project”. PAD diagnosis was based on ankle-brachial index (ABI) < 0.90. The statistical analysis used the corrected Chi-square (Pearson) test for complex samples and confidence intervals. P< 0.05 was considered statitically significant. RESULTS: PAD prevalence was 10.5%. Intermittent claudication (IC) was present in only 9% of PAD patients. A significant association was found between PAD and the following factors: diabetes, total and abdominal obesity, stroke and ischemic heart disease (IHD). There was a trend of higher PAD prevalence among individuals with hypertension, heart failure, chronic renal failure on dialysis, as well as those who had smoked over 20 pack-years. For females, presence of IHD was associated with a 4.9-fold greater risk of PAD. Among males, a 6.6-fold increased risk of PAD was found for diabetic in comparison to non-diabetic individuals. CONCLUSION: PAD prevalence was markedly high, considering the low mean age of the studied population (44±14.7 yrs). IC was detected in a minority of PAD subjects, indicating a considerable number of asymptomatic individuals. Diabetes, obesity, stroke and IHD were the stronger predictors of PAD. The authors concluded that ABI measurement should be considered in the evaluation of moderate to high cardiovascular risk patients.

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Artigo Original

Cross-cultural adaptation and validation of the Brazilian Portuguese version of the Edinburgh Claudication Questionnaire

Marcia Makdisse et al. Raimundo Nascimento Neto Antonio Carlos Palandri Chagas David Brasil … Jairo Lins Borges Anderson Oliveira José Gordillo Gisele Balsalobre Luciana Crozariol Miriam Pinho Rafaela Oliveira Ana Fátima Salles

OBJECTIVE: Translation, cultural adaptation and validation of the Brazilian Portuguese version of the Edinburgh Claudication Questionnaire (ECQ) a specific tool to assess intermittent claudication. METHODS: The Brazilian Portuguese version of the ECQ was developed after authorization by the University of Edinburgh. It was applied to 217 individuals: São Paulo Capital District residents with complaints of leg pain. Individuals under research were invited through mass communication media to participate in the I Campaign to Fight Peripheral Arterial Disease (PAD). In stage 1, participants filled out the ECQ and another questionnaire on risk factors and cardiovascular history. In stage 2, participants had anthropometric measures and ankle-brachial index (ABI) at rest measured by vascular Doppler. In case of doubt, vascular treadmill test was applied (VTT). PAD condition was defined by ABI 65 years) and non-elderly subjects. CONCLUSION: The Brazilian Portuguese version of the Edinburgh claudication questionnaire maintained good sensitivity and specificity and can be recommended for screening of PAD in clinical practice and epidemiological research in Brazil.

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Original Article

The Bambuí health and aging study (BHAS). Prevalence of intermittent claudication in the aged population of the community of Bambuí and its associated factors

Valéria Maria de Azeredo Passos et al. Sandhi Maria Barreto Henrique Leonardo Guerra Josélia Oliveira Araújo Firmo … Pedro Guatimosim Vidigal Maria Fernanda Furtado Lima-Costa

OBJECTIVE: To assess the prevalence of intermittent claudication in the aged population of Bambuí, Brazil, and to identify the factors associated with this disease. METHODS: Population-based cross-sectional study of the aged population ( > or = 60 years of age) of Bambuí. Participants were interviewed and examined, after written consent. Intermittent claudication was defined based on a standardized questionnaire. Analysis was performed using multiple logistic regression. RESULTS: Of the 1,742 elderly living in Bambuí, 1,485 (85.2%) were enrolled in the study. Thirty-seven individuals (2.5%) with intermittent claudication were identified: 28 (1.9%) males and 9 (0.6%) females. Their age brackets were: 16 (1.08%) individuals between 60 and 69 years of age, 17 (1.15%) between 70 and 79 years, and 4 (0.27%) > or = 80 years. A significant association between intermittent claudication and the following characteristics was found: male sex (OR=5.1; CI 2.4-11.0), smokers (OR=3.1; CI 1.2-8.5), ex-smokers (OR=3.4; CI 1.3-8.7), and more than 2 hospital admissions in the last 12 months (OR=2.8; CI 1.1-7.2). CONCLUSION: Disease prevalence was similar to that of other countries. The association between intermittent claudication and smoking strengthens the significance of tobacco in peripheral artery disease pathogenesis. The association of intermittent claudication and a higher number of hospital admissions suggests greater morbidity in the elderly affected.

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